Masaka, 10th/February/2016; Two journalists Shamim Jjingo Nakawooya and Gertrude Mutyaba Lilian both Daily Monitor correspondents in Masaka District have on 10th February 2016, testified against a former contender for the ruling party parliamentary seat for Lwengo, Eddie Ssansa in an assault and malicious damage to property criminal case.
Shamim told court, presided over by Grade 1 Magistrate Aisha Nabukeera at the Masaka Chief Magistrates Court, that on 28th October 2015 while at the Masaka Regional Police Headquarters was beaten by Ssansa for asking him an “embarrassing question” about his debts. She said that Ssansa slapped her, smashed her cell phone and squeezed her breasts in full view of other journalists.
“When I asked him to say something about his debts, which was said to be the reason for his arrest, Ssansa brutally turned against me and asked why I was asking such a question if I had not simply been given money to ask him such a question. He grabbed my phone and smashed it, slapped me in the face and indecently squeezed my breasts in the presence of my fellow journalists,” Shamim told court.
In her testimony, Mutyaba told court that on the fateful day, she saw Ssansa grabbing Shamim’s phone, hit it down and shattering its screen. “I saw Ssansa beating Shamim, squeezing her breasts after asking him a question about his indebtedness,” Mutyaba told court.
Prosecution led by Moureen Tusiime alleges that on 28th/October/2015, Eddie Ssansa assaulted Shamim Jjingo Nakawooya and damaged her cell phone.
Ssansa lost the National Resistance Movement primaries as a flag bearer for a parliamentary seat in Lwengo District.
The case was adjourned to 11th of March 2016 when the medical doctor and the investigating officer are expected to testify.
“We are glad that the process of Shamim getting justice has started, we hope and pray that justice prevails at the end of exercise.” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.
