UPDF Assault on Journalists Costs Government 150 Million Shillings

(Kampala) – The High Court has ordered the Ugandan government to pay 150 million shillings in damages to two journalists who were assaulted by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers while covering a protest in 2021. The compensation, awarded as UGX 75 million for each journalist, recognizes the physical injuries and psychological trauma they endured.
The incident occurred in February 2021, when New Vision journalists Timothy Murungi, an assistant visual editor, and Henry Sekanjako, a senior reporter, were covering opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi’s petition to the United Nations Human Rights Office in Kampala. During the assignment, military officers attacked the journalists, beating them with batons in what the victims described as an unjustifiable assault on press freedom.
In the case Uganda Journalists Association vs. The Attorney General, the journalists, represented by the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), pursued legal redress under the Human Rights Enforcement Act of 2019 and Article 50 of the Constitution. These provisions guarantee justice for human rights violations and protection of press freedom.
Murungi recounted that he was chased and struck on the head with a baton, leading to persistent headaches and psychological stress. Sekanjako described injuries to his hand and back that disrupted his work. Both journalists argued that the attack was part of a broader pattern of intimidation against the media, aiming to stifle coverage of politically sensitive events.
The Attorney General and senior military officials denied wrongdoing, claiming the UPDF’s actions were justified. However, Justice Boniface Wamala ruled against the government, describing the assault as “inhumane, cruel, and degrading.” The judge affirmed that the incident violated the journalists’ rights to dignity, press freedom, and protection from torture.
Key Points from the Case
Details
Incident Date
February 2021
Journalists Involved
Timothy Murungi (Assistant Visual Editor), Henry Sekanjako (Senior Reporter)
Compensation Awarded
Shs75 million each (Total: Shs150 million)
Legal Basis
Human Rights Enforcement Act (2019), Article 50 of the Constitution
Court Ruling
Assault deemed “inhumane, cruel, and degrading,” government held liable
Respondents
Attorney General and UPDF (denied responsibility)
Court Decision on Public Apology
Rejected request for an apology, citing respondents’ denial of responsibility
The court upheld the Uganda Journalists Association’s legal standing to file the suit on behalf of the journalists, rejecting objections from the defence. However, the case against the Chief of Defence Forces was dismissed due to a lack of direct evidence linking the office to the assault.
While the journalists also sought a public apology from the government or military, the court declined to grant this, citing the respondents’ refusal to admit liability. Nevertheless, the ruling reaffirmed state accountability for human rights violations committed by its agents, with the Attorney General held vicariously liable for the actions of the UPDF soldiers.
Justice Wamala emphasized the significance of compensating the journalists, stating, “The applicants are entitled to compensation by way of damages for such wrongful conduct.” The decision highlights the judiciary’s role in upholding press freedom and addressing violations against journalists.
This case is a landmark ruling in the fight for press freedom and a reminder of the legal protections available to journalists in Uganda. It also underscores the challenges faced by the media in carrying out their duties amid hostility and intimidation.
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