Mukono, 22nd/June/2012;
Mt. Lebanon Church in Mukono has compensated four Mukono based journalists
who implicated it in an attack on them.Kalumba Ronald of WBS Television received a new video camera
while Makumbi Joseph of the Red Pepper got a photo camera. The two had their original
cameras damaged in a scuffle when a group of members from the church attacked
them on May 20th, 2012 as they followed a news story.
Other victims were Moses Kizito Bbuule and Paddy Nsobya of
the Vision Group. They were attacked by a group led by one Shem Ssemmanda, who
later admitted and asked for forgiveness.During a recent meeting between the journalists and the
church at Shade Gardens in Mukono, Pastor of Samuel Lwandasa apologized to the
journalists and committed to buying new cameras to replace those damaged during
the attack.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
witnessed the occasion which saw the journalists withdraw the assault and
damage to property charges that had been filed against the group.The two groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which
they undertook to refrain from trading in any form of violent and non-violent
reproach against each other.
“HRNJ-Uganda welcomes this initiative of mending fences
between the media and the public. It however cautions journalists against
getting carried away by instant compensations by their attackers as this would
encourage impunity for people who can use their financial muscle to get away
with crime. We however wish to commend the professionalism and urgency with
which the Mukono police have handled the investigations into this matter.” said
HRNJ-Uganda Programmes 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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