Government told to protect journalists at demos

CPJ said Mr Mukiibi Serunjogi, a reporter with a vernacular weekly paper Ggwanga, was struck in the knee by a bullet fired by a security agent. He was later transported by Red Cross personnel to Namirembe Hospital before being discharged.

Kampala

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged government to provide security to journalists covering demonstrations in the country.

In a press statement issued by the New York -based Committee on Friday, its Africa Programme Coordinator Tom Rhodes asked Ugandan authorities to ensure that security of journalists either in the hands of police or protesters is guaranteed while covering demonstrations and riots.

“We deplore the attacks by both sides on reporters covering sensitive stories,” Mr Rhodes said. “The Ugandan authorities must ensure that journalists can work safely without violence at the hands of police or protesters.”
According to CPJ, at least five journalists were wounded while covering events that followed the burning of Kasubi royal tombs on Wednesday.

Scores of protestors and mourners came to Kasubi, a Kampala suburb, after a mysterious fire destroyed the historically significant royal tombs where four former kings of Buganda Kingdom were buried .

Journalist shot
CPJ said Mr Mukiibi Serunjogi, a reporter with a vernacular weekly paper Ggwanga, was struck in the knee by a bullet fired by a security agent. He was later transported by Red Cross personnel to Namirembe Hospital before being discharged.

Three other people were killed during the clashes between security agents and agitated Buganda loyalists. Ugandan Journalists Association Vice President Herbert Lemansi told CPJ that four other journalists were injured by either security guards or protestors on Wednesday.

A freelance photographer Moses Lemisa, reportedly told CPJ in an interview on Thursday that he was struck by an officer of the Presidential Guard Brigade. It is said the protestors attacked freelance reporter Benjamin Ssebaggala and photographer Steven Musoke. The two, along with Lemisa, work for the vernacular daily Bukedde.

Meanwhile, Uganda Human Rights Network of Journalists reported that a Deutsche Welle correspondent Leila Ndinda was attacked by protestors.