Journalist attacker has a case to answer

Wakiso, 03rd /October/2012; Court in Entebbe has ruled that Ddungu Elias has a case to answer in the assault of a Vision Group journalist Rebecca Nakame. “According to the evidence presented by the prosecution, you assaulted Rebecca Nakame Contrary to section 236 of the Penal Code Act and therefore you have a case to answer and you are required to prepare your defense.” Ruled the Magistrate, Bbosa Charles. This followed the evidence from several witnesses implicating Ddungu in the alleged crime against the Bukedde Television journalist. Ddungu is jointly accused with Katongole Issa, 26 and Mutagubya Jamil, 38 who are still on the run. Court issued arrest warrants against the duo. Meanwhile, court declared the fourth prosecution witness Kato Ssempa a hostile witness because his testimony was deviating from what he had stated at police, prompting the prosecution led by the Resident State Attorney Eunice Mbaine to pray that his evidence be expunged from the prosecution evidence to which court ruled in the affirmative. Court warned Kato against doing it again. Prosecution alleges that on 20th/April/2012, the trio, at Bweya village, Ssissa sub-county in Wakiso district assaulted Nakame occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 236 of The Penal Code Act and destroyed her property –a video camera which they also confiscated. Nakame was assaulted by a mob at a family home where she had been invited to cover a news story about a family land wrangle. She was attacked before filming the story. Nakame said that she was kicked, slapped, pushed and her hair pulled as she pleaded for mercy before being saved by a local council official. She complained of bruises and severe back pain. Hearing of the case has been adjourned to 10th of October 2012 when Ddungu is supposed to defend himself. “HRNJ-Uganda commends the court for handling the matter expeditiously. We appeal to the police to intensify their search for the two suspects who are still at large.” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala. For More Information Contact; Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Kivebulaya Road at 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