Ochola: Police Tribunal Has Right to Block Journalists from Proceedings 

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola has noted that the Police tribunal offended no law in stopping journalists from accessing the tribunal during the judgment of the former Buyende Police Station DPC, ASP Mohammed Kirumira.

A number of journalists were on two occasions (today and Tuesday) assaulted by police officers, blocking them from covering the proceedings.

On Wednesday, Ochola was put to task by Members of Parliament sitting on the Committee of Defense and Internal Affairs to explain why journalists were assaulted while performing their duties.

In response, Ochola regretted the actions by the police officers against journalists advising journalists to go to court over the matter.

“I don’t condone assaulting of journalists; an assault is a criminal act, whoever assaults a journalist commits a crime which has to be investigated and taken to court,” Ochola said.

Ochola went on to quote the Constitution which gives the Police power to stop journalists from covering the proceedings.

“Nothing in clause (l) of this Article shall prevent the court or tribunal from excluding the press or the public from all or any proceedings before it, for reasons of morality, public order or national security, as may be necessary in a free and democratic society.”

He however condemned the actions of Kirumira for using the media to advance his own agenda.

“You have all watched the conduct of this officer, his conduct requires us to have him tried in hell perhaps. You will agree with me that at least we have been giving Kirumira the benefit of doubt,” the IGP said.

Ochola said that Kirumira takes advantage of being portrayed by the press as a martyr and that this shall not be acceptable.