Former Independent Presidential candidate and leader of the Watchman Ministries Joseph Kabuleta on Thursday responded to a recent surge in violent attacks against journalists in Uganda.
Kabuleta said on Facebook that the assault “shows just how vulnerable this regime has become.”
The veteran sports journalist also slammed the apology by top military officials as an empty gesture.
Stephen Bwire of the Uganda Journalists Union said at least 20 journalists were injured Wednesday, when security personnel pounced on them covering an effort by the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu to file a petition with the United Nations against human rights abuses
Broadcast journalist John Cliff Wamala from NTV – Uganda remained hospitalised with a deep head wound, according to the Uganda Editors’ Guild.
Others chased and beaten by military police were Josephine Namakumbi and Joseph Sabiti ((NBS TV), and their print colleagues Irene Abalo – Daily Monitor and Timothy Murungi – New Vision etcetera.
Gen. David Muhoozi, the Chief of Defense Forces, called a press conference to apologise to the media, promising to pay for the medical care of the injured journalists.
“As we go through the ritual of fake apologies (after the terror unleashed on journalists) let’s remember that M7, the author of violence in Uganda, doesn’t mind being portrayed as tyrannical or even murderous. The only thing he really fears is to be shown as weak or vulnerable,” Mr Kabuleta asserted.
Adding: “If he must kill or maim thousands to maintain the facade of invincibility, he will. There was a time he used the Luganda proverb “Amaanyi g’olujegere gali mu kugonda (the strength of a chain lies in its flexibility). But his chain has become very rigid and therefore brittle.
“And every extra layer of tyranny that is uncovered, like it was this week with the mindless brutalizing of journalists, shows just how vulnerable this regime has become. This chain is about to break. The Emperor is….weak/vulnerable!”
Six soldiers allegedly behind the assault were given detentions of between 60-90 days and a seventh was issued with a severe reprimand, an army statement read.
Meanwhile, the U.N. urged government to immediately investigate the attack and “ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” according to the release.
“Whenever assaulted, swift, public, transparent investigations must follow to ensure justice is served and to restore public trust,” tweeted U.S. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown. “Those who violate press freedom must be held to account.”
