UJU condemns killing of Ugandan TV journo

According to UJU, Thembo, a video director at Mupaghasya Community Television Centre in Kasese, is reported to have been gunned down in the early hours of Saturday morning [12 May 2012] on his way home after duty.

Investigations underway

"The killers went away with the journalist's video camera and a bag containing other items. Police confirmed it has arrested suspects and investigations are underway," said Stephen Ouma, UJU's general secretary in a statement.

Lucy Anyango Ekadu, president of UJU, said that this case is one of the many incidents of killings and repression directed at journalists with impunity and culprits have remained at large without police apprehending and prosecuting them.

"This is a deliberate move to intimidate journalists, stifle voices of descent and suppress their ability to play a positive role in serving the public," she said.

Ekadu said the killing of Amon Thembo comes two years after Dickson Sentongo, a news anchor at Prime Radio and Paul Kiggundu of Top Radio in Masaka, were brutally murdered by iron-wielding assailants who have up to now never been prosecuted.

"We are calling on the police and other security agencies to help in apprehending and prosecuting the journalists' killers." added Ekadu.

Journalism becomes a dangerous profession

Despite police promising to apprehend and prosecute the 2010 murderers, the culprits have remained at large. Journalism is increasingly becoming a dangerous profession in Uganda.

The killing of Thembo, comes 12 days after journalists globally marked World Press Freedom Day.

Thembo leaves behind a wife and three children, was laid to rest 14 May 2012 in Kyogha.

Uganda has this year alone, witnessed increased cases of violation of press freedom with journalists being beaten, intimidated and harassed by security agencies especially the police, while covering events in the field.