Assaulted reporter's condition worsens

By Eddie Ssejjoba

The Old Kampala Division Police Commander, Joram Mwesigye, who is alleged to have assaulted a journalist, spent the night at the Central Police Station awaiting arraignment in court.  

Mwesigye was arrested on accusation that he assaulted Andrew Lwanga a camera man with a local TV station who was with other journalists covering a demonstration by the unemployed youth on Monday.

Lwanga was taken to Mulago Hospital, treated and returned home. The following day on Tuesday he was brought by his mother, Jennifer Lwanga to the Central Police Station seeking to obtain a police form 3, which he was supposed to present to a police doctor.

He however collapsed outside CPS and was picked by fellow journalists and relatives who were later joined by Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Haroun Isabirye.

Isabirye drove him to Sure House where the police doctor sits but he was not examined since his conditioned worsened and was instead rushed to Nsambya Hospital where he was still being treated.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga told New Vision that detectives were still waiting for the police Form 3 that gives details of the victim before they can take the suspect to court.

“The victim was not in good form and we could not fill the Police Form 3, we cannot take the suspect to court without the form. As soon as we get it, he will be produced in court,” he said.

Enanga said the police had preferred a case of assault against Mwesigye, but depending on the doctor’s report and extent of the injury, the case can be upgraded to causing grievous harm or attempted murder.

He said Mwesigye was still being detained at CPS but might be transferred to Nsambya where police personnel are detained.