The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the unwarranted assault of New Vision Photographer, Arthur Kintu, by a businessman and prominent religious leader, Hassan Basajjabalaba which occurred on September, 6th at Namboole while he was covering the elections in Kampala, Uganda.
"It is necessary to investigate this incident and hold this businessman accountable given his track record of attacking journalists," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. "It is unacceptable and no one is above the law. We support our UJU colleagues' pursuit for justice to our colleague."
On 6 September 2010, around 5:30pm after being informed that Hassan Basajjabalaba, a well known businessman had been re-elected chairperson of the League of Entrepreneurs, Arthur Kintu who had been accredited to cover the elections as a photographer for the New Vision moved closer to him to take his photograph.
The NRM Bushenyi district chairman confronted him, demanding to know who had given him permission to take the picture. Kintu responded that as an accredited journalist, he did not need permission to take pictures in the arena. It was at the time when Basajjabalaba sprung from his seat, slapped him while asking him whether he knew who he is.
The journalist was punched him as his aggressor's supporters looked on and tried to grab his camera- a Nikon D300, which fell down and was destroyed in the process. Kintu walked away bleeding from mouth and reported the case to Uganda Police and visited the Police Surgeon for a medical check up this morning.
This incident occurs barely two months after Mr. Basajjabalaba attacked on July 17 Radio One journalist Ivan Kalanzi as he asked for his comment as the chairman of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council about the meeting between him and the mufti, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje which had been cancelled.
According to Lucy Ekadu, President of the IFJ affiliate Uganda Journalist Union (UJU), lawyers have been instructed to press charges for these attacks against journalists before the courts of law.
"It is getting worse towards elections. The only thing we can do is to take on all the cases before the courts of laws. The media monitoring arm of UJU is working with the different lawyers to do this. In fact all journalists roughed up in the course of duty should just inform UJU and we will help them get lawyers at no cost to them. Our international affiliates will cover all the legal fees," explained Ekadu.
IFJ Calls on Ugandan authorities to put an end to this sort of impunity which is taking hold in the country and urges them to investigate objectively all the cases relating to violence against journalists and media staff in order to punish the attackers and perpetrators in the interest of justice.
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During the infamous regime of Idi Amin Dada, which of course was a military one, it was common place to see and witness public servants and other professionals being manhandled and abused in public. For the last twenty four plus years though, Uganda has had a on average, learned and exposed people running the country but unfortunately, it so appears that what worked well for choleric soldiers works also well in NRM regime. The paranoia against photography and photographers that the military regime installed between 1971 and 1980 is very much in place! Very often citizens react very hostilely on seeing and sensing even a camera flash. Uganda is striving very hard to join the other African countries like Kenya, Namibia and South Africa as tourist and safari destinations. I'm still wondering how modern tourism which is almost synonymous with Cameras should work here! I wish Ugandan journalists and members of the media all the luck and fortune they need in executing their trade!