The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has issued a strong condemnation following the brutal attack on journalist Male Deogratius, also known as Omusawo Tintah. The incident occurred late Monday night, April 15, 2024, when Deogratius was ambushed by unidentified assailants near his residence on Kubadongo, Salama Road, in the Makindye Division of Kampala.
Currently receiving medical care at the Good Samaritan Clinic in Makindye, Deogratius is suffering from severe injuries including difficulty in breathing, as well as pain in his back, head, and hands. He recounted to UJA representatives that the attackers did not steal anything but instead interrogated him about his sources of funding and his resolve to write articles advocating for human rights. The assailants warned him to cease his activities or face further danger to himself and his family.
Deogratius also revealed that this was not an isolated incident, as he has previously received multiple threatening messages urging him to stop his advocacy work.
The UJA, through its spokesperson and Secretary for Information, Kabuye Ronald, stressed that such violent acts against journalists are not only criminal but also a gross violation of press freedom as protected under Articles 29 and 40 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. The association is calling for immediate action to apprehend and prosecute the culprits.
This attack highlights the increasing risks journalists face in Uganda, where their efforts to speak for the voiceless and demand accountability often make them targets of violence. The UJA is actively advocating for enhanced safety measures to protect journalists who continue to operate under such threatening conditions.
