Journalists arrested for covering age limit protests

AGE LIMIT | JOURNALISTS ARRESTED

Police in Lira district yesterday evening arrested four journalists who were covering a demonstration over the proposed presidential age limit removal. 

The four journalists were picked while covering a demonstration by youth, who set fire on tyres along Oyite Ojok Road at around 5:30pm to protest the proposed ammendment of article 102 (b) from the Constitution.

Denis Engena, attached to NBSTV and Martin Ongom a freelance journalist, were arrested from the scene of the demonstration, while Robert Kalibongo of Unity FM was picked up from the  newsroom and bundled in a police pick up. Isaac Otwii, a freelance journalist with Daily Monitor was arrested at radio Unity premises in Lira town.

The journalists are reportedly being held at Lira Central Police Station.

The Regional Police spokesperson, David Ongom, expressed ignorance about the incident when contacted.

Ongom said he has on several occasions asked Lira DPC Joel Tubanone never to carry out arrests without doing an, but he does not listen.

There are also reports that the Police arrested eight civil society.

Lira journalists under their umbrella, Lira United Journalist Association (LUJA), have condemned the action of the Police and called for the immediate and unconditionally release of their colleagues.

LUJA has petitioned the Police leadership and a number of media watchdogs to intervene in the matter.