Former parliamentary contestant charged with assault of journalist in Uganda

By

Robert Ssewankambo

Last week in a court in the central Ugandan town of Masaka, a former ruling National Resistance Movement party flag bearer contestant for Lwengo, Eddie Ssansa, was charged with assault and malicious damage to the property of a Daily Monitor journalist Shamim Jjingo Nakawooya.

Ssansa denied the charges before Grade 1 Magistrate of Masaka Chief Magistrates Court, Nabukeera Aisha. He was granted a cash bail of two million shillings (Approximately USD 600).

The police officer in charge of the case, Henry Mandela told press that Ssansa earlier jumped bail before he was arrested and produced at court: “The suspect was supposed to appear at police on 4^th December, but he jumped bond on grounds he was sick. I pressurized him until he reported to Masaka Central Police Station on 14^th December and I immediately produced him in court.”

The Prosecution led by Moureen Tumusiime alleges that on 28^th October, Shamim Jjingo Nakawooya, a Daily Monitor-Masaka based correspondent, was assaulted by Eddie Ssansa, who lost in the ruling primaries.

Shamim says that she was slapped on the cheeks, boxed in the chest and her breasts fondled by Ssansa who also smashed her smartphone which she was using to record the interview. She adds that Ssansa further threatened to run over her with his car if he ever met her on the way. This was after Shamim asked Ssansa, what he termed an “embarrassing question” as to whether he had debts, during an interview with journalists at the Masaka regional police headquarters.

The case was adjourned to 22^nd January 2016 when the hearing is expected to commence.

Robert Ssewankambo

Robert Ssewankambo is a Ugandan writer. Working currently on a freelance basis, he is a regular contributor to major newspapers in Uganda and electronic online magazines and media sources in Africa, such as the Bukedde newspaper, Hindered radio, Red Pepper, Eddobozzi newspaper and African Interest online.

For media enquiries, contact Robert at the following email address: [email protected]