Security operatives assault journalists again as another NUP supporter is abducted from his home in Rakai

Security is under fire for assaulting journalists that were covering a procession led by National Unity Platform, NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine as he delivered a petition to the United Nations Human Rights offices at Prince Charles Drive, Kololo, Kampala.

Those beaten up include; NTV’s Cliff Wamala, NBS’ Josephine Namakumbi, New Vision’s Timoth Mulungi. Security also damaged a camera of Nicholas Bamulanzeki of the Observer.

It is alleged that the attack on journalists happened in Kololo where Kyagulanyi had showed up with a group of people whose relatives were allegedly abducted by security agents and are still missing.

Earlier, police had warned that only three people, including Kyagulanyi were requested to appear at the UN Human Rights office and they intended to stop any processions.

However, Kyagulanyi while addressing the press in Kamwokya on Tuesday called upon all Ugandans whose people are missing, to accompany him.

Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson said processions are banned due to COVID19 and that permissions to hold processions are only given by the Inspector General of Police as per the Public Order Management Act which has not been granted.

“We want to urge the public not to participate in any illegal activities, anybody who involves him/herself in any illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted in the courts of law” Onyango warned.

However, a group of people showed up to escort Kyagulanyi and were seen standing outside the UN offices in Kololo, holding pictures of their missing loved ones.

Meanwhile, another NUP party member was allegedly abducted on Wednsday morning, Kyagulanyi has said.

According to the party President, he received a call this morning, from their coordinator in Rakai informing him that a party supporter and polling agent in the just concluded election, Ssedanzi Paul was abducted by three men, two in plain clothes and one in a military uniform but all of them armed with AK47 guns.

“He was picked from his home in Kamukalo in Rakai today at 4am in the morning, severely beaten before he was taken away to an unknown destination. The regime is in overdrive, we too should step up our efforts to achieve our freedom” Kyagulanyi says.

Several people have gone missing in what is being termed as military abductions. President Yoweri Museveni recently indicated that those who are missing are in detention, promising that a report with all names of arrested persons shall be released soon so members of the public know where their people are being held and why.

This is not the first time security agents have assaulted journalists covering Kyagulanyi’s procession as the same happened during the presidential campaigns.