Natalie E. Brown, United States Ambassador to Uganda (credit: ug.usembassy.gov)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The United States top diplomat in Uganda condemned military and police officers who attacked journalists covering opposition figure Bobi Wine’s delivery of a petition to the U.N. rights office in capital city Kampala. The security personnel assaulted the journalists as they covered Wine filing a complaint with the U.N. office that alleged human rights violations including abductions that took place during and after the January 14 presidential election. Incumbent Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the election with 59% of the vote, while Wine was given 35%. Wine, 38, a pop star and lawmaker, rejected the results and said he believed his victory was stolen.
"Please, please…NTV Please."
NTV Uganda's Jeff Twesigye is surrounded and beaten by officers from the Military police. The situation forces him to apologise for doing his job. Jeff was left behind by the NTV vehicle while it rushed other journalists to hospital. #NTVNews pic.twitter.com/xbAd9UnRVa
— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) February 17, 2021
U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Natalie E. Brown Condemned the Attacks and Called for an Investigation
” Whenever assaulted, swift, public, transparent investigations must follow to ensure justice is served and to restore public trust,” tweeted the top U.S. diplomat in Uganda. “Those who violate press freedom must be held to account.”
Journalists should not be attacked for doing their job. Whenever assaulted, swift, public, transparent investigations must follow to ensure justice is served and to restore public trust. Those who violate press freedom must be held to account. #JournalismIsNotACrime
— U.S. Ambassador to Uganda (@USAmbUganda) February 17, 2021
The United Nations strongly condemned the attack on its rights office in Kampala
twitter.combobiwine / Bobi Wine July 21, 2020: “Earlier today, we launched the National Unity Platform (a legally registered Political Organisation) as the vehicle through which we shall participate in the 2021 election. Our symbol is an UMBRELLA.”
“The U.N. calls on the Government to immediately investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” the U.N. statement said, noting that the behavior of Ugandan forces contravenes an agreement with authorities regarding the safety of U.N. premises, staff and guests.
