The Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Martins Okoth Ochola has vowed that security agencies will continue
beating journalists purposely to ‘deter’ them from going where there is
danger.
Ochola, who was speaking at a joint election security and
preparedness presser, said he was unapologetic that journalists have
been clobbered during their line of duty because they went where there
was danger, contrary to police guidance.
Journalists, according to Ochola, often refuse to follow guidance by
security forces, a reason they end up being beaten purposely for their
own safety. Ochola said security forces do not target the media but
fracas ensues when they fail to observe security guidance.
"When we tell a journalist please don’t
go there, and you’re insisting you want to get the news there that is
what happens. Cooperate with us, we need you, you need us. It is not
that we’re targeting the media, no. We’re trying to protect your lives.
We’re telling you there is danger there and for you, you’re insisting
you must go where there is danger, yes we shall beat you for your own
sake to help you understand that don’t go there. Yes, we shall use
reasonable force to ensure that you don’t go where there is a reasonable
force. That one I have no apologies. Is police apologising for
mishandling journalists, my answer is am very sorry excuse me, we shall
not apologize but we shall continue helping you," said Ochola.
Three
journalists were injured by police in Lwengo district on December 27,
2020, while covering the campaign trail of National Unity Platform (NUP)
presidential candidate, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Ashraf
Kasirye, a Ghetto TV journalist, Ali Mivule of NTV and Daniel Lutaaya
of NBS at Lwengo and Kasirye is still fighting for his life at Lubaga
hospital after undergoing head surgery as a result of a teargas canister
that was fired at him and exploded on his head.
Ochola said
several journalists have always portrayed the security agencies as being
brutal. The IGP added that in some instances the media depict security
agencies as though they are against the sitting government.
"That
security targets the media, actually it is to the contrary, it the media
targeting security. The media will like to portray security as being
brutal, as being against the government itself, I think this very
unfortunate and we must put it clear," Ochola added.
Deputy IGP
Maj Gen Paul Lokech, said several journalists are covering election
events without accreditation from the Media Council. Lokech urged
journalists to cooperate with security agencies for their own safety.
AIGP
Edward Osiru Ochom, who is police’s director for operations, said
police have arrested 17 activists on Kyagulanyi's campaign trail putting
on press jackets yet they have no known media house they are working
for. Ochom blamed journalists for not denouncing activists posturing as
journalists.
The joint briefing on election security and
preparedness was attended by Internal Affairs minister Gen Jeje Odongo,
Defence minister Adolf Mwesige, Deputy Land forces Commander Maj Gen Sam
Kavuma and others.
