Four journalists in Uganda are recovering from serious injuries after being struck by teargas canisters during a protest against National Environmental Authority (NEMA) evictions in Kasokoso village, Kira Municipality, part of the Kampala Metropolitan area.
The injured journalists are Joseph Balikuddembe from 89.2 CBS FM, Tonny Ngambo from 88.8 CBS FM, Ali Mubiru from Pearl FM, and Victoria Bagaya from NBS TV. They were affected as police dispersed the crowd gathered for a meeting organized by local leaders at Kasokoso Beach Gardens on July 17, 2024.
“We had gone to cover the meeting organized by the area MP and the Lord Mayor of Kampala, but by the time we arrived, police had already blocked it,” said Balikuddembe, who sustained deep wounds on his arm from a teargas canister explosion, in a statement to HRNJ-Uganda.
As the Human Rights Network for journalists-Uganda, we condemn the attack and call for better cooperation between journalists and police during protests.
“The police’s use of teargas canisters against journalists and citizens exercising their rights to protest and free speech is a stark reminder of the dangers of excessive force and the need for accountability in law enforcement,” stated Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of HRNJ-Uganda. He emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement accountable and protecting journalists’ rights to report on sensitive issues without fear of attack or intimidation.
The conflict between police and the residents of Kasokoso began when elected officials, including Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (MP, Kira Municipality), Ronald Balimwezo (MP, Nakawa East), and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, attempted to inform residents about their rights concerning NEMA evictions, which they claimed were conducted without adequate notice.
The police intervened to stop the meeting, resulting in a confrontation and the subsequent use of force.
NEMA is currently conducting evictions in wetlands across Kampala and its metropolitan areas to restore these encroached lands and conserve the environment. However, excessive force against citizens and journalists raises concerns about the methods employed by the police and NEMA in handling civil matters.
