Kampala,
08th/Feb/2012; The Uganda Human Rights
Commission has started hearing of a case filed by journalists five years ago.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) petitioned the Uganda
Human Rights Commission alleging violations of freedoms and rights by security
operatives during the infamous High Court siege in a scuffle to re-arrest the People’s
Redemption Army (PRA) suspects on 1st March 2007.
The journalists including the HRNJ-Uganda Programme
Coordinator, Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, Sam Kayiwa a journalist with Power
FM and Robert Ssempala the former HRNJ-Uganda board chairperson accused the security
personnel including the army, black mambas and the police of beatings, harassment,
confiscation of journalistic equipment like recorders, phones and cameras, and
release of dogs on them while covering the event. They were forcefully evicted from
the court premises and restricted from filming or recording the proceedings at
court.
The hearing was presided over by Commissioner Fauzat
Mariam Wangadia. This follows an earlier hearing which failed to take off on
the 9th/December/2011 under unclear circumstances.
The State attorney Daniel Gantugo denied liability
and raised a preliminary objection, praying for a dismissal of the case on
grounds that HRNJ-Uganda, the complainant failed to state that it was bringing
the action on behalf of a stated number of persons named in the complaint, and
that the organization has no cause of action against the Attorney General since
the violations were never committed against HRNJ-Uganda.
HRNJ-Uganda lawyer Catherine Anite argued that the
case on violations against these journalists is sustainable since it was tabled
before the commission by a duly registered organization under Article 50(2) of
the Constitution, and that it was upon the Commission to carry out thorough
investigations as mandated by the Constitution and advise the complainants
accordingly. She contended that substantive justice should be administered
without undue regard to technicalities.
Commissioner Wangadia adjourned the hearing and a
ruling on the state’s preliminary objection will be delivered on notice.
“This is justice long overdue. We pray that this
matter be handled justly and expeditiously “Said the HRNJ-Uganda Programme coordinator
Wokulira Ssebaggala.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network
for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road –
Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock
Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934
/ +256-414-667627
E-mail:
news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website:
www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG:
http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
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