KAMPALA – The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has on Tuesday, July 17 summoned three journalists from Salt Media who allegedly beat up their fellow journalists.
The journalists include Mr. Charles James Ssenkubuge, Mr. Eric Ssebalamu and Mr. Robert Mutebi. The trio was recorded in a video clip.
According to the UJA President Bashir Kazibwe Mbaziira, the victims will be summoned to provide their side of the story and later decide the way forward after the report by ensuring that justice prevails.
“Failure to appear before the committee for the two weeks investigations will warrant taking matters to courts of law,” Mr Kazibwe said while addressing the media.
In addition, an eight-member committee has been formed to investigate the fracas that left two journalists; Mr. Godfrey Katongole of Bukedde TV and Mr. Siraje Kiberu of Record TV injured for providing coverage to activities against Pastor Aloysious Bujjingo’s utterances that demeaned women through his wife Teddy Naluswa at Salt Media’s headquarters in Lungujja.
The committee will be chaired by the association’s Vice President Buganda Region, Mr. Muhammad Ssendegeya and will allow objective expression of all parties to find a solution amongst journalists within two weeks.
Mr. Katongole is currently admitted at Old Kampala Moslem Hospital in critical condition after being allegedly assaulted by journalists.
According to the National Coordinator Human Rights Network for Journalists, they are going to charge the individuals who were involved in the fracas and not the media house they work for.
“We are going to charge individuals and not Salt Media, in order to fight impunity because the video recordings are available and the suspects are there… we welcome anyone who wants to join the struggle so that these journalists seek justice,” he said.
He added that there are two offences which include beating their fellow journalists and also stealing their belongings.
