A number of Uganda journalists are currently nursing wounds inflicted on them by military as they covered Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine delivering a petition to United Nations human rights in Kampala.
Soldiers raided the UN offices at midday when Bobi Wine was in a meeting with some officials. Armed to the teeth, soldiers unleashed violence on journalists who were holding media gadgets. The 20 minutes scuffle left journalists with injuries on their heads, backs, thighs and arms.
Some of the critically wounded pressmen and women include Irene Abalo Otto attached to Uganda’s leading independent Newspaper the Daily Monitor and John Cliff Wamala working with Nation Television –NTV Uganda.
Other beaten media personnel include Josephine Namakumbi attached to Next Broadcasting Services –NBS, Andrew attached to government owned Newspaper the New Vision, Aminah Nalule attached to Galaxy FM and Joseph Sabiiti attached to NBS.
Bobi Wine petitioned UN human rights office in Kampala purposely to task officials to join hands in condemning human rights violations being done by police and military. Over 50 people have been abducted by soldiers and police since Uganda started presidential electoral process that ended on January 16 where incumbent Yoweri Museveni was declared winner of country’s most violent elections.
During the campaign period, Bobi Wine’s supporters totaling to 54 were shot and killed by police and soldiers. This was during a protest that demanded for the release of Bobi Wine who had been arrested from his campaign venue.
People perceived to be anti-government have been kidnapped by security operatives in various parts of Uganda. Several people whose relatives have been abducted and their whereabouts unknown accompanied Bobi Wine to UN human rights office but they too were also mercilessly dispersed by soldiers.
The attack on journalists comes a month after Uganda’s Inspector General of Police, Martin Ochola, said security men would continue beating up press personnel for their own ‘safety’. Military also beat up journalist on December 30 at Kalangala islands as Bobi Wine climaxed his presidential campaigns.