Police have suspended Corporal Ogwal Yeeko, a cop who was photographed spraying teargas at Next Media journalists on Tuesday.
Police said in a statement on Wednesday that they “strongly condemned the manner in which two journalists from Next Media namely Isano Francis, and Thomas Kitimbo, were attacked and pepper sprayed, during the dispersal of pre-intern doctors, who were holding a demonstration around Mulago Guest House Wandegeya.”
The force, which has previously come under public scrutiny for brutalising journalists, saying the “abuse directed at journalists and reporters for simply doing their job, can never be justified.”
Although the officer issued an apology to the journalists, said police, “he has still been suspended and handed over to the Professional Standards Unit, for investigations.”
Police said they had taken action against several officers for their failings during their enforcement operations.
These are ASP Sowali Kamulya, the OC Field Force Unit Kira division, AIP John Steven Ogwang, the OC operations Wandegeya and PC Laker Harriet.
The trio has been summoned by the Professional Standards Unit and are undergoing investigations to the fullest extent, according to police.
Despite previous commitments to respect journalists’ rights, the police force has not shown any signs of reform.
Police urged journalists to record their statements with PSU, “to allow charges to be brought against the officers. We have also reached out to the journalists, Next Media and expressed deep regrets over the conduct of our officers.”
The law enforcement said the actions of its officers “indicate that there is still work that we must do, to better protect journalists and reporters, so that they can play their part in keeping the public informed without fear or favour. We are going to ensure that they go about their work without being intimidated, attacked or threatened.”
