Journalist hospitalised after being beaten by Police during march against brutality

One of the journalists who were arrested by Police on Monday morning while marching against brutality has been hospitalised after being beaten badly during the arrest.

Moses Bayola , a reporter with Star FM was hospitalised after being sprayed with pepper and beaten at Naguru as a group of journalists delivered a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Okoth Ochola about police brutality.

He had been shortly released from detention when he was rushed to hospital for medical attention after his condition worsened.

Petition

Following the assault on journalists covering the Makerere University student protest, members of the Uganda Journalists Association, Human Rights Network for Journalists and Uganda Parliamentary Press Association organised a march to Naguru police headquarters and petition the police chief over the matter but there were roughed up and colleagues arrested by police.

However, a few of them were later allowed to proceed to the Police headquarters where they met the Police’s Chief Political Commissar, AIGP Asan Kasingye, AIGP Asuman Mugyenyi, the Police operations commander and AIGP Abas Byakagaba who represented the Inspector  General of Police.

The journalists presented the grievances that among others included continued brutality and targeting of journalists by police officers.

“There is need for police to assure us that the continued brutality will come to an end but also officers involved should be held accountable,” said UJA president Bashir Kazibwe.

In response, the three Police directors said they would deliver the petition to the Inspector General of Police for redress.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the engagement, Kazibwe asked media owners and editors to always join the fight for journalists’ rights.

He announced that the boycott would continue until they get  response from the IGP in regards the grievances.