Kampala, Uganda – The UPDF Chief of Defense Forces Gen David Muhoozi has apologized to to journalists who were attacked and brutalised by the military police as they covered the National Unity Platform-NUP’s delivery of a petition to the U.N. rights office in Kampala on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media in Kampala on Thursday morning, Gen Muhoozi said that the operation was a mistake and that the culprits will be punished.
“I called you here to ask for forgiveness; that was a mistake of individuals and we shall do everything possible to punish the culprits,” Gen Muhoozi said.
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He revealed that the Kololo operation was not sanctioned by the UPDF, and that the army was working at establishing what transpired.
“Nobody sent these people because when we send out people, we give them rules of engagement. But these went into excess and that’s why we are working on establishing what happened and to hold those responsible accountable,” he said.
Gen Muhoozi expressed UPDF’s commitment to work with the media as well as foot the medical bills of the injured journalists.
About 20 journalists were wounded with at least four suffering head injuries yesterday afternoon.
Some of the injured reporters include NTV’s John Cliff Wamala who had to be rushed to hospital for emergency medical care. Others include Josephine Namakumi and Thomas Kitimbo of NBS TV, Timothy Murungi of Newvision, Irene Abalo of Daily Monitor, Shamim Nabakooza of Record TV, Rashida Nakaayi of Galaxy FM, Geoffrey Twesigye from NTV among others.
Credit: www.africatembelea.com
