Two Witnesses Pin a Journalist Attacker

Wakiso, 24^th/September/2012; two witnesses have testified against Ddungu Erias who is accused of assaulting a Vision Group journalist Rebecca Nakame.

Nakaweesi Sumaiya, who was at the scene of the incident testified in court on 20^th September against the accused alleging that on the fateful day, Ddungu with two others who are still at large severely beat Nakame up thereby causing her actual bodily harm. 

Another witness, Dr. Ojara Santo, a medical doctor who carried out a medical examination on Nakame testified that when he examined the victim, she was distressed and in pain with a wound on the right foot measuring 2cm and tenderness on the back. The injuries were less than one day old and were caused by a blunt object. They were graded as harm.

Kato Ssempa who was expected as the third witness did not appear in court, but witness summons were issued against him by the Magistrate, Charles Bbosa. The summons were issued on application by the Resident State Attorney Eunice Mbaine.

Prosecution alleges that on 20^th/April/2012, the trio, at Bweya village, Ssissa sub-county in Wakiso district assaulted Nakame occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 236 of The Penal Code Act and destroyed her property –a video camera which they also confiscated.

Nakame was attacked by a mob at a family home where she had been invited to cover a news story about a family land wrangle. She was attacked before filming the story.

Nakame said that she was kicked, slapped, pushed and her hair pulled as she pleaded for mercy before being saved by a local council official. She complained of bruises and severe back pain.

Hearing of the case was adjourned to 27^th of September 2012 where the 3^rd prosecution witness is expected to testify.

“HRNJ-Uganda welcomes this development and commends the court for exercising its mandate. We pray that the third prosecution witness turns up at the next hearing so that the prosecution closes its case.” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.

For More Information Contact;

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)

Kivebulaya Road at Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School

P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala, Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627

E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org,humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.hrnjuganda.org

BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com