Entebbe, 3rd/03/2017: Five ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party youths continued to defend themselves before the Entebbe based Grade One Magistrate Mulonda Mastula. Two of the accused denied beating journalists on the day of the special interest group election, which they claim was peaceful and ended smoothly at Entebbe, in Wakiso district.
“The voting went very well. I did not see anyone being beaten that day. I don’t know why the complainants said that I beat them.” Said Mubiru Arnold, one of the accused persons.
During cross examination, Mubiru told Court that he was forced to record his statement at the police. This was after him giving testimony before Court contrary to his earlier testimony recorded at police.
Another accused person, Wasswa Hassan also denied beating any journalists on the said day. He informed Court that he first saw the journalists at Court. The accused persons closed their defence after presenting five witnesses. Court adjourned the case to 29th/03/2017 for judgment.
Prosecution alleges that on 4th March 2016, at Entebbe Municipal Council offices, Kigongo Ssebalamu, Ssempijja Godfrey both of Vision Group and Kakooza George William of the Central Broad Casting Services (CBS) radio were assaulted by Lule Wamala Richard and four others while covering the Entebbe Local Council Elections, occasioning them bodily injuries and their cameras destroyed in the process.
“We are very grateful to the Court for having handled the case expeditiously. We are hopeful that justice will be delivered to the victim journalists and the media at large.” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.
