Africa-Press – Uganda. POLICE|#ElectionsWatch2021|SHOOTING
KAMPALA – The Uganda Police Force on Sunday (December 27, 2020) regretted the violent skirmishes between the Police and National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters that erupted in Kyabakuza leading to the injury of journalists who were covering the event.NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine was forced to suspend his campaigns schedule in Lwengo and Bukomansimbi today following injuries of journalists on his campaign trail.Among those injured included a Ghetto TV crew member Ashraf Kasirye, who sustained blunt force injuries above the left eye allegedly from a canister, NTV reporter Ali Mivule who sustained an injury on the leg after being hit by a teargas canister fired by Police, and NBS TV senior Reporter, Daniel Lutaaya.Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, in a statement noted that, “this morning our task team in Greater Masaka had violent confrontations with the NUP candidate and his supporters at a check point in Kyabakuza after they defied the route plan agreed upon to Kyotera District. Tear gas was used to quell the violence and journalists were regrettably caught up during the process of dispersing the violent group,” Enanga said.”The victim was rushed to Masaka Referral Hospital for medical attention. He remains stable but in serious condition and has been transferred to Kampala for better management.” Enanga added.He noted that the police Media crimes department had taken interest in the matter and opened a case file to investigate the circumstances.”We do appreciate the critical role journalists while covering the campaigns and pledge better protection cover to remain safe while documenting violent confrontations. We call upon anyone with digital evidence regarding the disturbing incident to share it with our task team of investigators from CID headquarters,” Enanga added.More details to follow….
