The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the assaults on six Ugandan journalists during the failed mayoral elections in Kampala on Wednesday.
The Belgium-based organization has demands that the authorities launch an investigation and bring to justice both the attackers and the masterminds of the acts of hooliganism.
Florence Nabukera of Bukedde FM, Christine Namatumba of Metro FM, Lydia Nabaziwa of Bukedde TV and Jane Anyango were all beaten up at different polling stations in Rubaga on Wednesday. Nixon Bbaale, camera operator with Channel 44 TV sustained a serious cut on his head while covering the scuffle at the Kakeeka polling station also in Rubaga and his colleague Brian Nsimbe sustained an injury to his arm.
None of the young armed men involved in the assault on the journalists has been arrested.
Gabriel Baglo, Director of the International Federation of Journalists Africa Office, says this is the latest violence in a series of deliberate attacks on the media during the elections. He says they are not in keeping with the country's constitution and other international instruments that Uganda has signed and ratified.
The Uganda Journalist Association has also denounced the assaults on the media.
Henry Mulindwa, secretary general of the association, says they have petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to direct an investigation in to the matter and to issue assurances of future protection of the media.
Nixon Bbaale the assaulted Channel 44 TV reporter says he is recovering fast from the cut to his head.
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Bbaale says he hopes to return to work soon.
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