Uganda: CFWIJ welcomes the sentence of seven soldiers over journalists assault

February 18, 2021- Seven soldiers from Uganda People’s Defence Forces are sentenced with reprimand leading up to three months in jail. The soldiers were charged for assaulting journalists outside the U.N. office in the capital, Kampala on Wednesday. Several journalists sustained serious injuries and were then hospitalized. CFWIJ welcomes this decision and hopes not to observe such brutality again against any journalist. 

The journalists were present outside the U.N. office in Kampala, to cover the filing of a petition. Opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine filed a petition in the U.N. high commissioner's office to investigate the forced abductions and human rights violations. Reportedly one of the military commanders present at the sight ordered to beat the journalists. At least 20 journalists including women received minor to severe injuries as a result of the batons from military police.

Several journalists shared the details of the horrific attack on Twitter and demanded to apprehend the attackers. There are videos on the internet where journalists can be seen running for their safety while military police follow them. Later, Ugandan Defence Force Chief, David Muhoozi apologized on behalf of his soldiers and assured the journalists that justice will be served. 

A press conference was also held by journalists to demand immediate action against the errant soldiers. As the journalists believe that it was a deliberate attack on them to silence the press. The Ugandan People’s Defence Forces issued a statement stating that a military investigation committee has sentenced the seven soldiers including one captain, responsible for assaulting journalists.

The Coalition For Women In journalism welcomes the decision of apprehension of culpable soldiers by military police. We hope that Ugandan law enforcement agencies will make sure that no such disgraceful incident ever takes place against the journalists. We stand in full solidarity with all the brave and courageous women journalists for standing tall in the face of tyranny.