HRNJ-Uganda alert, award winning artist apologizes to journalist over violent attack

L-R EDRIISA MUSUUZA AND ISAAC KATENDE

Kampala, 18^th/September/2014; A renowned Ugandan artist, Edriisa Musuuza popularly known as Eddie Kenzo has made a public apology to a Dembe FM journalist and presenter, Isaac Katenda aka Kasuku over a violent attack on him at a pre-concert press conference on 11^th September 2014. Kenzo has been under fire since he severally punched the journalist at Centenary Park, in Kampala.

The press conference attended by prominent Uganda artists, at Hotel Africana in Kampala saw the two reconciling. Kasuku said he had forgiven Kenzo, “We have agreed to certain terms and settled the matter amicably. He called a press conference and apologized. Am very grateful to HRNJ-Uganda, and am going to become a very big advocate of you guys at HRNJ; whenever you need me, just call on me, you have my full support and backing. I appreciate you so much for the work you have done for me because it has not been easy for me to get justice. I attribute this achievement to your tireless work.” Kasuku amusedly told HRNJ-Uganda.

HRNJ-Uganda engaged the police leadership over failure to summon or arrest Kenzo for assault five days after the ugly incident. This provoked the police to immediately summon Kenzo, “We are sorry for the delay to act but now we are going to summon him, and if he delays to report, I will deploy my men to arrest him and detain him until he appears in court.” A senior police officer told the HRNJ-Uganda team during a meeting with the police over failure by the police to act.

Kenzo’s Manager, Jjuuko Hannington, speaking on phone, told HRNJ-Uganda that the two had agreed to make peace, “They agreed on the modalities and reconciled, they have agreed to withdraw the case from police, they have agreed on everything.” He said.

HRNJ-Uganda is happy that the two embraced the Alternative Dispute Resolution process to amicably settle this matter. However, HRNJ-Uganda warns against the dangers of trading off criminality with money as this practice entrenches the culture of impunity with perpetrators buying off their victims.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.