NBS television journalist, Twaha Mukiibi who was assaulted on Monday by Police during the arrest of Pady Sserunjogi aka Sobbi at Rose gardens in Kyengera, has called upon Police to appreciate the role of the press in police work and ensure peaceful co-existance.
Mukiibi was assaulted in the middle of an interview with leaders of the notorious ‘kifeesi’ group, a gang which claims to be behind murders of innocent Ugandans, allegedly in collaboration with Police.
Twaha who has been receiving treatment from Kampala International Hospital said: “Police has failed to accept that we (journalists) are their partners during their operations. They need to realise the importance of the fourth estate and exhibit restraint”.
“I wondered why the Police officers kept clobbering me for over five minutes and injured my legs even when I cried for help as I identified myself as a Journalist”, he added.
On whether he hopes to sue the officers who assaulted him, Twaha said that he hasn’t taken any decision yet.
“What is important for me at the moment is to heal, after which, I will meet my lawyers before deciding on my next course of action”, he said.
Information has been making rounds on social media that Mukiibi has been receiving phone calls threatening him from suing the Police officers.
However, he dismissed being these reports, but admitted receiving calls from people he knows advising him on the next decision.
When approached, Robert Ssempala, the coordinator of Uganda Human Rights Network for Journalists said that they have already identified the individual Police officers who assaulted Mukiibi and are ready to take then on in courts of law.
This was not the first time Police assaulted journalists. In the beginning of January 2015, Police in Pader district was accused of beating up a freelance journalist Brilliant Tito, working with New Vision before Andrew Lwanga a Journalist working with WBS Tv was beaten by Old Kampala Police Commander Joram Mwesigye a week later.