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Journalists beaten up by UPDF soldiers for covering Bobi Wine petition

NBS TV journalist Josephine Namakumbi reacts after being attacked by security officers | PHOTOS/ NICHOLAS BAMULANZEKI

Several journalists have been admitted to hospital with serious injuries they sustained when military police on Wednesday assaulted them while covering National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi who was delivering his petition to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) offices in Kololo, Kampala.

Some of the journalists assaulted by security operatives on Wednesday include Geoffrey Twesigye of NTV, Irene Abalo of Daily Monitor, Shamim Nabakooza of Record TV, John Cliff Wamala of NTV, Timothy Murungi of New Vision, Josephine Namakumbi of NBS, Henry Sekanjako of New Vision and Joseph Sabiti of NBS, among others.

Armed forces deployed heavily along roads leading to Kololo and blocked everyone except Mr Kyagulanyi and two other NUP officials who were allowed to proceed to UNHRC offices before a military officer ordered soldiers to beat up journalists.

Some journalists sustained head injuries as a result of the beating while Abalo says she was followed by soldiers to the NTV car where she had sought refuge and beaten before she injured her leg.

Journalists display injuries they sustained after security operatives attacked them while covering Bobi Wine on February 17, 2021

Nicholas Bamulanzeki of the Observer said his camera was damaged as security operatives dispersed them.

Some of the journalists attacked by security operatives on Wednesday include Geoffrey Twesigye of NTV, Irene Abalo of Daily Monitor, John Cliff Wamala of NTV, Timothy Murungi of New Vision, Josephine Namakumbi of NBS, Henry Sekanjako of New Vision and Joseph Sabiti of NBS, among others.

Armed forces deployed heavily along roads leading to Kololo and blocked everyone except Mr Kyagulanyi and two other NUP officials who were allowed to proceed to UNHRC offices before a military officer ordered soldiers to beat up journalists.

Some journalists sustained head injuries as a result of the beating while Abalo says she was followed by soldiers to the NTV car where she had sought refuge and beaten before she injured her leg.

Mr Kyagulnayi had been joined by relatives of several missing persons, who have been abducted by security operatives during and after the just concluded elections, to present a petition to the UN Human Rights offices.

This is not the first time security operatives are targeting journalists covering opposition events. In the run-up to the January 14, 2021 presidential poll, several journalists on the campaign trails of Bobi Wine and FDC’s Patrick Amuriat were targeted by security leaving several injured.

Since December 11, security officers have assaulted at least 16 journalists covering opposition events.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>> UPDF soldiers beat up journalists covering Bobi Wine petition to UNHRC

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