Masaka bishop manhandles journalist over photograph
Dec 08, 2010
Drama unfolded in Masaka High Court on Monday when outgoing West Buganda Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Keefa Kamya, manhandled a journalist who had photographed him.
BY DISMUS BUREGYEYA
Drama unfolded in Masaka High Court on Monday when outgoing West Buganda Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Keefa Kamya, manhandled a journalist who had photographed him.
The journalist, Brian Luwagga, took Kamya’s picture when he appeared in court over a case where Christians were challenging the election of the incoming bishop, the Rev. Can. Godfrey Makumbi.
Over 40 Christians, led by Paul Mugabi and Boaz Lubega, sued Archbishop Luke Orombi and Kamya over the matter, but withdrew the case on Monday.
On seeing Luwagga take his picture, Bishop Kamya, together with the diocese information officer, the Rev. Enock Muwanguzi, charged at him.
“Who gave you permission to photograph us, who are you? Can you delete the picture?†Kamya asked while pulling at Luwagga’s T-shirt collar.
Surrounded by the clergy, Luwagga tried to explain that it is normal for journalists to take pictures in court since it is a public place.
“We usually take photographs of high profile officials in court. This is a public place. I will not delete the pictures,†Luwagga said.
After the fracas, Bishop Kamya rushed to his Corona car and sped off. Christians who had turned up for the hearing criticised Kamya’s conduct.
“It is a shame for such a senior clergy to conduct himself in such a manner before the public. We demand an apology from the diocese,†Lubega said.
However, when contacted on phone, Kamya denied attacking the journalist. “It is not true that I manhandled the journalist. It could have been some other clergy, not me,†he said.
Luwagga said he had forgiven the bishop. “The bishop is supposed to be exemplary. How would other ordinary people treat a journalist after seeing a bishop attack him on duty,†Luwagga said.
In the ruling, Justice Mike Chibita commended the Christians for withdrawing the case, saying the court supports reconciliation of conflicting parties.
Shortly afterwards, the complainants lodged an injunction blocking the installation of Makumbi on January 23, 2011 at Kako Cathedral.
“We withdrew the case because Kamya and Orombi said they did not receive the summons on time,†Mugabi said.
He said they had evidence to show that the election of Makumbi was void.
Drama unfolded in Masaka High Court on Monday when outgoing West Buganda Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Keefa Kamya, manhandled a journalist who had photographed him.
The journalist, Brian Luwagga, took Kamya’s picture when he appeared in court over a case where Christians were challenging the election of the incoming bishop, the Rev. Can. Godfrey Makumbi.
Over 40 Christians, led by Paul Mugabi and Boaz Lubega, sued Archbishop Luke Orombi and Kamya over the matter, but withdrew the case on Monday.
On seeing Luwagga take his picture, Bishop Kamya, together with the diocese information officer, the Rev. Enock Muwanguzi, charged at him.
“Who gave you permission to photograph us, who are you? Can you delete the picture?†Kamya asked while pulling at Luwagga’s T-shirt collar.
Surrounded by the clergy, Luwagga tried to explain that it is normal for journalists to take pictures in court since it is a public place.
“We usually take photographs of high profile officials in court. This is a public place. I will not delete the pictures,†Luwagga said.
After the fracas, Bishop Kamya rushed to his Corona car and sped off. Christians who had turned up for the hearing criticised Kamya’s conduct.
“It is a shame for such a senior clergy to conduct himself in such a manner before the public. We demand an apology from the diocese,†Lubega said.
However, when contacted on phone, Kamya denied attacking the journalist. “It is not true that I manhandled the journalist. It could have been some other clergy, not me,†he said.
Luwagga said he had forgiven the bishop. “The bishop is supposed to be exemplary. How would other ordinary people treat a journalist after seeing a bishop attack him on duty,†Luwagga said.
In the ruling, Justice Mike Chibita commended the Christians for withdrawing the case, saying the court supports reconciliation of conflicting parties.
Shortly afterwards, the complainants lodged an injunction blocking the installation of Makumbi on January 23, 2011 at Kako Cathedral.
“We withdrew the case because Kamya and Orombi said they did not receive the summons on time,†Mugabi said.
He said they had evidence to show that the election of Makumbi was void.