A new report released by the Human Rights Network for Journalists indicates a general reduction in cases of violation of rights of media practitioners.
However, police still ranks high among the violators followed by the Judiciary.
In 2014 40 cases of violation by the police were recorded compared to 80 in 2013.
In the Judiciary, cases of violation increased from 1 in 2013 to 39 in 2014.
21 cases were recorded in which Private individuals abused the rights of Journalists in 2014 compared to 11 in 2013.
In the UPDF 8 cases were recorded in 2014, compared to 1 in 2013.
Violation by Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) increased from 2 in 2013 to 10 in 2014.
In total 120 cases of rights violations were recorded in 2014.
Some of the cases of violation of rights include barring journalists from accessing court, unwarranted detention in judiciary, arbitrary arrests and detention by police as well as barring journalists’ from scenes of events.
While releasing the report, Mr. Robert Ssempala, the HRNJ Coordinator said action should be taken against individuals who commit such atrocities against Journalists.
In a separate development, WBS journalist Andrew Lwanga says his life is under threat from unknown individuals.
Lwanga who was recently assaulted by by a police officer claims he has been attacked twice by unidentified people, the latest being last Saturday when four people made an attempt on his life at his home in Kabalagala.
He claims he has also been receiving anonymous phone calls demanding him to withdraw the case of assault that he filed against the former DPC Old Kampala police station Jorum Mwesigye.
Lwanga was in January assaulted by Mwesigye while covering a peaceful demonstration by the unemployed youths and his case is still before the Buganda Road Court. The DPC has since been suspended by the Police Professional Standards Unit.
Story by Herbert Zziwa
Lwanga on threats
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