Journalist assaulted by suspects at police station in Uganda

By

Robert Ssewankambo

Sulaiman Mutebi, a journalist working with the Vision Group of newspapers was earlier this month assaulted by two suspected land fraudsters at a police station in the Ugandan town of Entebbe, in the full presence of police officers.

Mutebi told press in Uganda that he was assaulted by the suspected fraudsters who had been arrested but subsequently released by the same police officers. “When the suspects realised I was covering them, they pounced on me and started beating me up. I was kicked in the stomach, head and jaw. My camera fell down and got spoilt in the process. All this time the police officers were looking on without helping me. I was saved by a traffic officer who arrived and found them assaulting me” Mutebi stated.

Mutebi, who told Journalists that he had sustained injuries and body pains, had intended to cover a story of two men suspected of fraudulently dealing in land. On reaching the police station, he was able to interview some police officers, and as he turned to the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations, he saw the two suspects walking away. From here he tilted his camera and started to cover the situation, prompting the wrath of the suspects who pounced on him.

Mutebi has recorded a case of assault and malicious damage at Kisubi police against the alleged land fraudsters, identified as Solomon Tumwesigye and David Muhakanizi. Efforts to obtain a comment from the Police were futile.

Adrian Bbaale Bwanika, a Vision Group journalist was arrested and detained at Kasangati police station late last year in a similar as he covered a land fraud related story. Following this, the police charged him with disobedience of lawful order, a case which was later dismissed by the Kasangati Magistrates Court due to a lack of evidence.

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]