The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has apologized for the assault that journalists were subjected to by some FDC officials when they had gathered at the party’s headquarters in Najjanankumbi for a weekly press conference on Monday.
The apology came through Mr Harold Kaijja, the party deputy Secretary-General.
“Dear colleagues I have learnt of the uncivilized scenes at our party headquarters where errant individuals mistreated some journalists. As a party, we can’t accept such savage behaviour even towards our perceived opponent,” the brief statement reads in part.
“I take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the party. We shall conduct disciplinary action on them. We need you [journalists] as partners.”
The journalists were allegedly assaulted by a one Moses Mutumba and a certain George. The two are said to have locked up several journalists inside the conference room after realising that Mr Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the party spokesman, who was slated to address the journalists, would not show up. Mutumba allegedly declined to let them move out of the room despite demands from journalists who had already moved out. The journalists had earlier expressed anger over the party’s failure to alert them that the press briefing had flopped.
The verbal exchange culminated in a scuffle as some journalists tried to force the conference room door open.
The fight was, however, stopped by some senior FDC officials who pulled Mutumba away.
Mr Ronald Kibuye, the spokesperson of Uganda Journalists Association said if the party did not apologise, they would boycott future party press briefings.
“This is the last time this violence against journalists should happen. These [FDC] officials are taking us [journalists] for granted. They should apologise to the media fraternity, “Mr Kibuye said.
