This statement is originally posted on Teso Karamoja Journalists Association website on 20/01/2017
By Elizabeth Akiror
A senior preacher at Jehovah Witness Church in Mukura Sub County, Ngora district has assaulted and caused serious bodily harm to a popular New Vision journalist.
Tolbert Edait, 52, attached to Etop Radio and newspaper in Soroti was, assaulted by Pastor Sam Okello while covering a meeting between two clans of Inom-Ariok and Inomu.The two clans where trying to resolve a family dispute between Ajulong Rebecca and Atenia Benjamin in Adul village in Mukura S/C over alleged infidelity.
The incident ensued after Okello and Atenia who has now turned to a preacher at Issa-Massiah sect from Pentecostal Revival Ministries (PRM), failed in their attempts to convince the clan members present at the meeting to throw out Edait from the proceedings as they feared he would expose more dirt uncovered during the gathering.
But in what turned out as a shock to many, Okello unsuspectingly went behind the seat where Edait was seated and suddenly pulled it away making Edait to land down on his buttocks and hitting the back of his head to the ground.
“Iam now feeling sharp pain in my spine and the lower abdomen area since the incident”, he told this website.
Edait has opened an assault case no. 14/18/01/2017 against Sam Okello at Mukura Police Station.
Charles Rugumayo, the O/C station Mukura Police station confirms the incident.
A medical form also seen by this website from Kapir Health Centre-III reveals that Edait sustained injury on the lower back which may necessitate x-ray and further management if symptoms persist.
However, Mathew Omoding, the clan chairperson Inom-ariok who presided over the meeting faulted Okello over the unfortunate incident.
This is not the first time Edait has been assaulted by a news source. On the 1st January 2017, the journalist was again assaulted by yet to be identified drunkards at Galaxy Inn in Ngora district while covering New year event in which a case has been opened at Ngora Central police station.
