PPF condemns assault on radio journalist in Lira, Uganda

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter to Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda has expressed concern over the assault on Bismack Olang, journalist with Unity FM radio based in Lira on January 18, 2019.

PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali in his letter, has condemned this unjustified act of mayor and called on the Ugandan government and law enforcement agencies to thoroughly interrogate the matter and hold the mayor responsible for attacking a journalist in the line of duty.

According to Human Rights Network for Journalists- Uganda, the journalist had gone to Municipal Council Chambers for covering the meeting between the councilors and the mayor, Mike Ogwang Olwa Veve regarding revenue collection from the Boda Boda, motorcyclists.

Olang informed that when he along with his colleagues reached the chambers, mayor asked them to wait outside to which they agreed, while waiting outside they saw police officers entering the chambers premises where the meeting was being held.

The journalists then entered the premises to find out what was going on, the mayor in anger poured punches on Olang and threw him against the wall. The police officers rescued the journalist.

Olang reported case of assault at Lira Central Police Station vide SD REF: 32/18/01/2019 and recorder his statement on the incident. The councilors present in the chambers for meeting also recorded their statements.