Mitooma Police Assault NMG Journalist, Charge Him with Computer Misuse

nation Media Correspondent for Greater Bushenyi district, Hillary Twinamastiko is nursing injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by the at Kashenshero Police Station in Mitooma district. Twinamastiko was alleges that he was following a story about a viral social media video by Allan Hillary Asiimwe also known as Gen Van Allan, the mayor of Kashenshero Town Council.

The video alleged that officers at the same station were absconding from duty. Twinamstsiko, says that before heading to Kashenshero he pitched his to his supervisors who gave him allowed him to persue the story.

He adds that he coordinated with the area reporter Ahereza Sympathy who works with Voice of Ruhinda, recorded audio and took photos of the residents and on their way to the mayor’s home they were blocked by the police.

“We had just finished recording the residents and taken photos, so we decide to board a motorcycle (Boda Boda) to go get the primary source to the story, police officers blocked and arrested us, we cooperated with them,” he narrated.

He said that they were taken to Kashenshero police station.The constables on duty allegedly asked him to surrender his phones, recorders, wallets and camera and locked them in police cell from 3:00pm to 6pm without telling them their charge.

“They checked our phones but found nothing on Ahereza’s phone but on mine they found a police sign post we were beaten seriously and the Boda Boda guy was also beaten; we were not told what crime we had committed.

He says he was beaten for 30 minutes, by over 10 men, banged against the wall, strangled in the neck, squeezed his nose, punched in the stomach, beaten on the forehead which hurt his right eye, and forced to eat a snack.

He adds that they were released on Police Bond after the regional Police Commander intervened.a

He said that they learned about their offense after being released.

‎ He says, after his release he went to Kamapala International teaching Hospital for check-up and he was recommended to do a CT scan.

‎ ‎Joseph Nahabwe a Journalist in Sheema district has condemned the hilarious acts of the police officers and asked the Regional Police commander to act on their juniors.

He says the two professionals should work together to serve the People and not in isolation.

“As a journalist, I condemn this act of police because we are trying to serve the people of Uganda. you are leaving what is right and doing what is wrong, these kinds of actions don’t please us at all we shall be tired and you will need us at one point and we shall not respond”

Allan Hillary Asiimwe, the mayor Kashemshero Town Council confirmed that he had an appointment with the Journalists but didn’t turn only to hear they were arrested, noting that he is yet to get details of their arrests. When Contacted for a comment, the Greater Bushenyi region Police Spokesperson Apollo Tayebwa said he was still gathering details to the incident and that he would get back-URN.

Read Next Article