The Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) has condemned the assault of New Vision journalist and photographer Johnson Were by Warriors player Gabriel Aredo which occurred on Sunday during the Kyabazinga Sevens.

The incident was caught on camera and it shows the Warriors player trying to break up a scuffle between Erasmus Aredo (Chairman of the National organising Committee) and former rugby Cranes hooker Alex Mubiru.

When the melee broke up, Aredo is seen charging towards the photographer who had been taking photos of the incident tackling him and damaging his camera lens.

USPA president Patrick Kanyomozi was vehement in his rebuke of the situation that should not have happened while Were who also serves as the USPA General Secretary was doing his job.

“We strongly condemn this act on our colleague and a senior executive member and we call upon the Uganda Rugby Union to bring the culprit to book and hold everyone accountable,” said Kanyomozi.

 In a bid to protect sports journalists Kanyomozi has advised reporters to avoid rugby matches until a resolution is found.

“In the meantime, we advise our members to stay away from rugby games until the matter is resolved to its logical conclusion. This is for their safety and it takes immediate effect.”

URU responds

The Uganda Rugby Union through Secretary Peter Odong will investigate the root and veracity of the incident.

“As a socially responsible body, the Uganda Rugby Union takes the aforementioned incident very seriously. A thorough investigation has been instituted and the findings from this investigation shall form the basis for the stringent action on the culprits and for crafting the guidelines to avoid the same from happening in the future,” said Odong.

This comes as welcome news because it reiterates the fact that Journalism isn’t a crime. Regarding a sport like rugby whose core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship are taught daily, it’s disappointing things escalated like that.