FDC suspends party members for attacking journalists

KAMPALA- The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change ( FDC) has suspended two party members who allegedly assaulted journalists at Najjanankumbi based party headquarters in Kampala last week.

The party which issued an official apology to the media fraternity for the alleged attack of journalists, insisted that the two members won't be allowed to access the party offices until investigations are complete.

Addressing journalists at a weekly party press conference in Kampala on Monday, John Kikonyongo, the deputy party spokesperson, clarified that those who allegedly attacked journalists were not party officials, but members.

The decision according to Kikonyongo, followed  disciplinary committee hearing held last week.

The members are expected to write to the party leadership explaining their action.

The scuffle ensured after journalists who had turned up to cover the party weekly press conference protested the abrupt call-off of the presser.

The party weekly press conference always addressed by the party spokesperson, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda and his deputy John Kikonyongo starts at 11:00am and many reporters always start their journey much earlier to Najjanankumbi to beat the heavy traffic along the Kampala-Entebbe road.

The FDC secretary for defence, Agele confirmed that two party members, Henry Mutumba and  one only identified as George were on suspension.

He insisted that FDC cannot tolerate uncivil and disrespectful conducts by party members, who are bent towards frustrating the party values and accepted standards of purpose.

 Journalists through the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) had demanded for public apology from the party for the violence unmated on the journalists vowing to boycott the party activities until an apology is made.

The party used the platform to urge Ugandans to pray for the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga who is currently hospitalised in Nairobi.

 Kadaga was over the weekend flown to Nairobi based Aga Khan Hospital for treatment. She was on Thursday admitted at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, where she was allegedly being treated for fatigue-related illnesses.

The statement issued by her office indicated that Kadaga fell ill as a result of hectic work arrangements, fatigue and jet-lag upon her return from long haul flights to New York, USA and Rabat in Morocco. 

The party called on the government to invest more in the health sector so that specialised medical services which Ugandans seek outside the country can be offered here.

This would reduce billions of shillings spent by government to treat officials and the private citizens who fly abroad, Kikonyongo insisted.