Vision Group Journalist Assaulted on Duty, Hospitalized in Critical Condition
Godfrey Katongole, a journalist working with the Vision Group’ Bukedde television is admitted at Old Kampala Moslem Hospital in critical condition. He was admitted Tuesday 15th July, following an assault by a group of journalists and other people at Salt Media in Lungujja, Kampala.
Katongole, was visibly in severe pain when visited by fellow journalists and other wel-wishers at the hospital. He said he was kicked, punched and hit with a baton by a group of attackers, mainly journalists working with Salt Media, who he said were wel-known to him.
In the process, Katongole lost his video camera, phones and bag. He was attacked along with Siraje Kiberu a journalist working with Record television, who sustained injuries on the arm and body pains.
The journalists were covering a demonstration by women activists protesting the derogatory words used by Pastor Aloysius Bugingo against his estranged wife Teddy Bugingo. Pastor Bugingo owns Salt Media and the House of Prayer Ministries under which the radio is run.
HRNJ-Uganda met with officials managing Salt Media over the scuffle at their premises. The General Manager of Salt Media, Charles Senkubuge said that the incident was unfortunate. He said the attacks were started by supporters of the station, which prompted some staff to join in defence. He apologized to the victims of the scuffle, saying that this should never happen again.
The wider media fraternity has demanded for prosecution of the implicated attackers of the journalists on the line of duty.
HRNJ-Uganda has since intervened to ensure that justice prevails in the current circumstances. Robert Ssempala the Executive Director of Human Rights Network for Journalists told journalists at Old Kampala Moslem Hospital that this unfortunate act has the potential to dent the image and integrity of the media if not handled well. The journalists have since reported the matter to police for investigations.
