Journalists from various Ugandan and international media houses have walked out of an organised security meeting at the Uganda Media Center (UMC).
Security bosses heading different organs like Police, UPDF, and the military were all present at the UMC to discuss matters of national security.
The UPDF Chief Political Commissar (CPC), Brig. Gen. Henry Masiko was addressing the nation on the state of security in the nation ahead of where he brought in the commemoration of the Armed Force’s Day, also known as “Tarehe Sita” which is marked annually to remember the day when the National Resistance Army led by Yoweri Museveni, launched an armed struggle to end misrule in Uganda.
Gen. Masiko called upon Journalists to be cooperative, and pointed out that Journalists should as well act professionally. The journalists with fury quickly reacted, they questioned the army General how they would work with a force that continually batters them, when it’s instead meant to give a protective cover to professional citizens doing their work.
Gen. Masiko was tasked to air out an immediate apology but the army chief was not ready to apologise to Journalists.
UPDF Spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso having a light moment with Monitor photographer Michael Kakumirizi
The journalists then walked out. UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso tried to calm them down and said she was going to apologise on behalf of the force but needed them to first calm down, but they insisted to instead just walked out. “We shall listen to your apology tomorrow, not today,” one of the Journalists said.
The Journalists were emphasizing that they are non-partisan and only cover what’s on ground but security agencies just can’t let them do their job peacefully.
“We do not support anyone, we don’t even care who Bobi Wine is, we just present information as it is,” one Journalist said.
Another added, “If you cover president Museveni and his NRM party, you are a good journalist, if you cover Bobi Wine or any opposition candidate, you are taken for a bad journalist.”
Meanwhile, Ashiraf is still battling for his life, as NBS senior Reporter, Daniel Lutaaya who was riding on a Boda Boda that was shot at during the mayhem in Masaka earlier today, is currently in hospital and NTV reporter Ali Mivule is still receiving treatment at Mukwaya Medical Centre after he was hit by a teargas canister.
Andrew Irumba (R) with HRNJ boss Robert Ssempala (2nd R) and INDOJA-U executive members Raymond Wamala and Milton Tumusiime
ONLINE BODY INDOJA WARNS SECURITY FORCES
Meanwhile the Independent Online Journalists Association-Uganda (INDOJA-U) has warned security to stop the brutality, high handedness and targeted attacks on journalist.
In a meesage signed by tha association President Andrew Irumba, the online body that unites over 100 onlines warned police and the military that journalists shoulder a pivotal role and social contract with the public, and thus they should not be targeted.
“The security personnel are now INTENTIONALLY targeting journalists who are covering these wanton injustices meted not only on the media but the general public. Journalists Ashraf Kasirye (Radio One correspondent and Ghetto TV camera man), Ali Mivule and Daniel Lutaaya of NTV and NBS TV respectively were Sunday 27/12/2020, seriously injured by the security personnel. Ali Mivule, in his own narration says a whole RPC pointed a gun at him, cocked it and shot at him in the thigh at close range as he said to him; “collateral damage”!”
“This also takes us back to the ugly scenes of Luuka District recently where the same Ashraf Kasirye, Sam Balikowa of Ghetto TV, among other journalists were violenty teargased and later brutally arrested, reportedly for covering the ugly scenes of lhe protests, where they also
destroyed journalists’ equipments in order to destroy footage, where more than 50 unarmed civilians lost lives,” Irumba noted.
He added, “INDOJA-U, an association that brings together online media in Uganda takes this as a serious attack on the freedoms of expression, not only to the media, but the general public at large. Security is here by reminded that journalists shoulder a pivotal role and social contract with the public, to collect, filter and feed them with information to enable them make informed choices, because we all know, that an informed societyIs an empowered society.”
“We appeal to all security agencies in Uganda to restrain themselves from acts that violet the Rights and Freedoms of not only the press,but of all Ugandans,” Irumba said.
By Baron Kironde
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