A journalist with Kyenjojo Development Radio has been arrested by the police for allegedly inciting violence.
Mukama Patrick Bbala, better known by his radio name Kaijenge Magangura, was arrested late yesterday evening when he attempted to stage a demonstration at Kyenjojo Police Station. Mangangura, angry at the forced dispersion of a mob of demonstrators earlier in the day, took his mattress and blanket to the police station, threatening not to leave until the authorities did something about the rise in traffic accidents in Kyenjojo town.
Early yesterday morning a truck rammed into a house in Kyenjojo town, killing one person asleep in the building and injuring five others. The accident occurred at a spot known for traffic hazards, where residents have time and again called for the building of speed humps to slow down cars.
Angry, a mob stormed the Resident District Commissioner's office demanding for action. However before they could see him, police fired several bullets in the air, sending the demonstrators fleeing for their lives. A few in the crowd were not easily cowed and they charged at the police, injuring two officers in the scuffle.
Shortly thereafter a meeting was held between the Western Regional Police Commander, Wilson Kwanya and Ministry of Works engineers. It was agreed that speed humps would be built as soon as possible, but not soon enough for Magangura.
The Kyenjojo District Police Commander, George Sabiiti, accuses Magangura of being the brains behind yesterday's mob action. He says the journalist will be charged with inciting violence and holding an illegal assembly.
Kaijenge Magangura says the only thing he is guilty of is fighting for the rights of the people. He says he shouldn't be victimized for leading the aggrieved people of Kyenjojo in presenting their concerns to the district leadership.
Magangura calls on the Uganda Journalists' Association and the South Western Journalists Association to come to his aid and to rescue him from custody.
According to police statistics, more than 10 people have been killed in road accidents in Kyenjojo town since the year begun. The trouble spots along the Kyenjojo-Fort Portal high way are the main junction in Kyenjojo Town Council and Rugombe trading center in Bugaki sub-county.
