Kampala Monster Police Boss Charged
Old Kampala DPC Joram Mwesigye
Old Kampala DPC Joram Mwesigye was on Thursday afternoon produced before Buganda Road Court for allegedly beating up journalists while they covered a demonstration by unemployed youth in Kampala on Tuesday.
He was charged with assault causing bodily harm and malicious damage to property before Grade One Magistrate Sanyu Mukasa.
He denied all the charges before being released on a cash bail of Ugx 800,000.
His five sureties who were mainly fellow police officers attached to Old Kampala police station; were each bonded at a noncash of Ugx 2million.
The police officer who was arrested, a day after he allegedly committed the offense, has also been suspended from work.
He is accused of seriously assaulting Mr Andrew Lwanga, a cameraman with Wavah Broadcasting Servise (WBS TV) on the head. He is currently nursing head injuries at Nsambya hospital as a result of the beatings.
The officer is also accused of damaging a khaki trouser belonging to Joseph Ssettimbe, a journalist working with Bukedde Television thereby leaving him half naked with his inner closes exposed to the public.
During the court session, prosecution indicated that investigations into the barbaric behavior of the 38-year old senior police officer were complete and were raedy to star hearing the case.
To that effect, Court has gone ahead to fix this Friday to commence hearing the case.
The actions of Mr Mwesigye attracted wide condemnation from the media fraternity, civil society, politicians among others.
To show solidarity with journalists, six private lawyers led by Medad Ssegona have expressed interest to freely represent the affected journalists so that they get justice.
The fracas happened near Florino Bar and Guest House along Namirembe Road in Kampala the journalists covered the unemployed youth group that was matching to Naguru police headquarters to seek permission from IGP Kale Kayihura for the different rallies this month.
Once convicted, the police officer faces upto five years in jail for assaulting journalists.
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