Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda is set to drag media harassers from the Forum for Democratic Change Party to court .
This is through their press briefing with journalists where they discouraged media practitioners from settling over such issues outside court.
Last week, a click of goons attacked journalists as they covered events at FDC head office in Najjanankumbi on July 20, 2023. At this point to-date , FDC official have been conflicting internally which led to the torture on media.
Some severed physical injury like losing teeth while others had their gadgets confiscated.
During the press briefing, some of the journalists testified that HRNJ- Uganda had intervened within three days and they had recovered their gadgets.
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Charles Katabalwa from Radio Sapentia noted that he wants to see all culprits brought to book.
“I want to see justice , these people should be brought to book incase they fail to produce culprits by next week as they have promised.”
Katabalwa was beaten and had his phone grabbed. The victim had been on treatment from a past beating for his back and it’s the same place he was beaten.
For his phone , the HRNJ-Uganda had replaced with a brand new one.
Moses Waiswa from Radio Busoga one on the hand mentioned that for most moments he has been harassed, government forums and political heads have always intervened. However he was disappointed that FDC harbours goons .
“I am not pleased with FDC , and I was among those who filed a case with the place . This week I wanted to take matters to court but I am intent on suing the party.”
Diana Nandudu Flavia , working with HRNJ-Uganda told journalists that settling cases outside court has encouraged more of such cases of torture .
“When you settle outside court, you are given peanuts. Yet within court you receive lasting justice with making record but also better awards for damages caused .”
Nandudu mentioned that since the journalists had gone ahead of the forum to mediate with FDC, the forum will wait for outcomes and there after proceed with court if not satisfactory.
Press freedom in Uganda has been reported with alot of harassment from politicians , government and entities among others .
Human rights networks have always come in to intervene , however journalists feel that the infringement on their freedom grows worse by the day.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) is a network of journalists in Uganda working towards enhancing the promotion, protection, and respect of human rights through defending and building the capacities of journalists, to effectively exercise their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms for collective campaigning through the media.