Human Rights Network for Journalists  HRNJ-U Records 43 Cases against  Journalists by Security Forces

Human Rights network for journalists HRNJ-U a body that is responsible for the human Rights of journalists has recorded a total number of 43 cases  county wide were recorded by journalists to have been infected on to them by security forces.

According to Robert Sempala the executive Director for HRNJ-U, they documented 43 cases against journalists including, attacks in form of physical assaults, unlawful arrests, unlawful detention, malicious damages to their properties and threatening violence among others since the beginning of this year.  "Between 1st January 2023 and 26th July 2023, HRNJ-U has so far registered 16 cases of assault, 09 confiscated gadgets, 02 threatening violence, 10 Arrests and 06 malicious  damage to properties against journalists's occasioned by police, Army and and community-members," says Robert Sempala. Adding that all these 43 cases are directly Media work.

Based on the information provided, the following recommendations are put forth:

1. The police must take action by arresting, investigating, and prosecuting those responsible for perpetrating violence and making threats against journalists and media practitioners.

2. Journalists and media practitioners should remain vigilant and collaborate to ensure their safety and security while carrying out their duties.

3. To uphold democracy, various stakeholders such as media house owners, editors, reporters, civil society, Parliament, the Judiciary, the Executive, donors, and the international community should work together to establish and maintain a supportive and conducive environment for media operations.