'Police leads in violation of scribes' rights'
Feb 14, 2011
A report by Human Rights Network for Journalists has ranked Police as the highest among those harassing journalists.
By Mary Karugaba
A report by Human Rights Network for Journalists has ranked Police as the highest among those harassing journalists.
According to the 2010 report released yesterday, 16 recorded cases of attacks on journalists were committed by Police during the year.
The cases ranged from arbitrary arrest, physical abuse, harassment, prolonged interrogation, illegal detentions, beatings and vandalising journalists’ equipment.
However, the report showed that in almost all cases reported, the crimes were committed by junior Police Office.
The report was released yesterday at a Media-Police dialogue held at Hotel Africana.
The report covered the period from January - October2010, also showed that Journalists were increasingly being targeted by civilians. 13 cases were committed against journalists by civilians during the period. They were followed by Resident District Commissioners (4) Para military (3), Army (2), and state (2).
The Red Paper had the highest number of its journalists targeted, followed by Daily Monitor (5), Newvision, Bukedde (4), NTV and CBS radio (3).
The report criticised the Police for not doing enough to prosecute individuals who rein violence on Journalists.
“Very few cases have been prosecuted successfully and Police seems reluctant to force officers of government implicated in abuses against media to appear in court,†the report shows.
In attendance were top senior Police officers who included among others Kampala Police chief Andrew Sorowen, Chief Political Commissioner Asan Kasingye, CID chief Edward Ochom, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Planning and Training John Kamya commissioner of Police (community affairs), Asuman Mugenyi, and head of Police standards unit John Ndungutse.
Kasingye admitted that there were incidents of Police attacking journalists but the Police was addressing them.
“We agree that they are areas of conflict, but that is why we are holding such dialogues to iron out such issues. However we promise to make a follow up and take action,†Kasingye said.
He emphasised the need by Police officers to respect and work with the media and understand their role.
“Let us all mind about each other’s responsibility and observe our professional ethics and follow the law.â€
J.B.Waswa, from Makerere University,
said the objective of the report was to investigate, document and analyse information on all cases that have occurred between January and October 2010 which undermine the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and press freedom in Uganda.
A report by Human Rights Network for Journalists has ranked Police as the highest among those harassing journalists.
According to the 2010 report released yesterday, 16 recorded cases of attacks on journalists were committed by Police during the year.
The cases ranged from arbitrary arrest, physical abuse, harassment, prolonged interrogation, illegal detentions, beatings and vandalising journalists’ equipment.
However, the report showed that in almost all cases reported, the crimes were committed by junior Police Office.
The report was released yesterday at a Media-Police dialogue held at Hotel Africana.
The report covered the period from January - October2010, also showed that Journalists were increasingly being targeted by civilians. 13 cases were committed against journalists by civilians during the period. They were followed by Resident District Commissioners (4) Para military (3), Army (2), and state (2).
The Red Paper had the highest number of its journalists targeted, followed by Daily Monitor (5), Newvision, Bukedde (4), NTV and CBS radio (3).
The report criticised the Police for not doing enough to prosecute individuals who rein violence on Journalists.
“Very few cases have been prosecuted successfully and Police seems reluctant to force officers of government implicated in abuses against media to appear in court,†the report shows.
In attendance were top senior Police officers who included among others Kampala Police chief Andrew Sorowen, Chief Political Commissioner Asan Kasingye, CID chief Edward Ochom, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Planning and Training John Kamya commissioner of Police (community affairs), Asuman Mugenyi, and head of Police standards unit John Ndungutse.
Kasingye admitted that there were incidents of Police attacking journalists but the Police was addressing them.
“We agree that they are areas of conflict, but that is why we are holding such dialogues to iron out such issues. However we promise to make a follow up and take action,†Kasingye said.
He emphasised the need by Police officers to respect and work with the media and understand their role.
“Let us all mind about each other’s responsibility and observe our professional ethics and follow the law.â€
J.B.Waswa, from Makerere University,
said the objective of the report was to investigate, document and analyse information on all cases that have occurred between January and October 2010 which undermine the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and press freedom in Uganda.