soldiers-charged-over-beating-up-jornalists
The military police unit disciplinary committee (UDC) the lower court of the court martial, today 18th February, 2021 has convened and deliberated on its officer and militants who misbehaved and assaulted members of the fourth estate (journalists) at Prince Charles lane in Kololo Kampala.
The UDC presided over by the chairman Lt Col Gai Mpandwa sentenced the following service men to various punishments;
1. Capt Jessy Odwenyi
2. Cpl Nimusiima Justine
3. Pte Wasswa Peter
4. Pte Tsame Imran
5. Pte Kisakye Victoria
6. Pte Opiyo Isaac
7. L/cpl Zirimenya Kassim
Capt Odwenyi were sentenced to 90 days of detention in Makindye military barracks, L/cpl Zirimenya Kassim was also charged with 60 days while Cpl Nimusiima Justine was sentenced to severe reprimand and caution while Pte Kisakye Victoria and Pte Opiyo Isaac were sentenced to 62 and 60 days in the military prison respectively.
The chairman warned the culprits and the entire military police at large to always emulate discipline and professionalism while on any deployment. He also added that the above officer and militants will act as a deterrent measure to officers and militants while executing their constitutional mandate.
It should be remembered that on wednesday 17th Feb 2021, members of military police were seen assaulting jornalists who had gathered to cover a political activity near the offices of the UN Human Rights in Kololo Kampala.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi has since apologised, promised to take action. This has come barely hours after his presser. He also promised to foot the medical bills of those affected and promised to have a symposium to brain storm with media on how to work together. He also promised to include in the military training media related subjects to align the army with the media.