Donation Amount. Min £2

L-R. Human Rights lawyer Eronie Kiiza with some of the journalists who were tortured at the offices of UN Human Rights Headquarters in Kololo; John Cliff Wamala, Josephine Namakumbi, and Shamim Nabakooza at High Court in Kampala on March 03, 2021. PHOTO | ABUBAKER LUBOWA.

Four journalists who were beaten at the United Nations Officers in Kololo last month have dragged the government to court over the continued harassment. 

In their lawsuit filed today before the High Court in Kampala, Mr John Cliff Wamala, Mr Geoffrey Twesigye both from NTV, Josephine Namakumbi (NBS) and Shamim Nabakooza (Record TV), are seeking a court declaration that beating, dispersing, chasing, and blocking journalists from doing their work is a violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press guaranteed by Article 29 of 1995 Constitution.

The respondents in this case are; Lt Col Franklin Namanya alias “Napoleon” and the Attorney General (AG).

The journalists are also seeking a court declaration that as media personnel, they are entitled to free practice in their work without any intimidation or battering from security agencies as this causes both physical and psychological torture. 

“As a participant and superior, the first respondent (Lt Col Namanya) is personally liable for his misconduct and that of the violent gang he supervised, commanded, and let loose upon the applicants on February 17 as they tried to perform their media duties,” reads in part the lawsuit.

Last month, several journalists were admitted to hospitals with serious injuries which they sustained when military police assaulted them while covering the National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi as he delivered a petition to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) offices in Kololo, Kampala.

The group in their affidavits in support of their case noted that on a fateful day while doing their official work, Mr Kyagulanyi and some members of his team were allowed entry into the premises of UNHRC, however, security personnel blocked the media from covering the submissions of the petition.

They further state that they were directed by police to converge in an area called a safe zone, however, in the nick of time a military pickup with men in security uniforms wielding guns, sticks and batons emerged from the back of the safe zone.

“They dramatically hopped off the trucks and came surging towards us and when we sensed danger, we ran to the opposite side,” reads in part Mr Wamala’s affidavit.

“The said military men looked already charged to harm us. One of the officers caught up with me and aimed for my head with a baton which hit me so hard. I lost balance and almost tripped off to the ground thus a sharp excruciating pain followed thereafter,” he further stated.

Ms Namakumbi states that Lt Col Namanya angrily shouted at them ordering them to leave thus letting other military officers run after them.

According to the court documents, the group states that how the court treats their case will set a precedent on how the officers will conduct themselves before journalists. By Juliet Kigongo, Daily Monitor

About IEA Media Ltd

Informer East Africa is a UK based diaspora Newspaper. It is a unique platform connecting East Africans at home and abroad through news dissemination. It is a forum to learn together, grow together and get entertained at the same time.

To advertise events or products, get in touch by info [at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447957636854.
If you have an issue or a story, get in touch with the editor through editor[at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447886544135.

We also accept donations from our supporters. Please click on "donate". Your donations will go along way in supporting the newspaper.

Get in touch

Our Offices

London, UK
+44 7886 544135
editor (@) informereastafrica.com
Slough, UK
+44 7957 636854
info (@) informereastafrica.com

Latest News

Industrialist Pankaj Oswal claims daughter illegally imprisoned in Uganda

Industrialist Pankaj...

Vasundhara Oswal has been in prison since October 1, the family claims. Pankaj Oswal claims his daug...

Rwanda: Torture, Ill-Treatment in Detention

Rwanda: Torture, Ill...

By Human Rights Watch An illustration of the “Yordani”, a torture site within Nyarugenge and Rubavu...

Uganda: Kiswahili Council Bill hits another hurdle over ownership

Uganda: Kiswahili Co...

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, observed that when the Bill was brought before Pa...

Ruto's adviser at the centre of controversial Adani-JKIA saga

Ruto's adviser...

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.[File, Standard] The government could have been quie...

For Advertisement

Big Reach

Informer East Africa is one platform for all people. It is a platform where you find so many professionals under one umbrella serving the African communities together.

Very Flexible

We exist to inform you, hear from you and connect you with what is happening around you. We do this professionally and timely as we endeavour to capture all that you should never miss. Informer East Africa is simply news for right now and the future.

Quality News

We only bring to you news that is verified, checked and follows strict journalistic guidelines and standards. We believe in 1. Objective coverage, 2. Impartiality and 3. Fair play.

Banner & Video Ads

A banner & video advertisement from our sponsors will show up every once in a while. It keeps us and our writers coffee replenished.