Jinja: A Jinja based reporter belonging to the Uganda Radio Network (URN), has escaped losing her ear as police was allegedly clearing way for the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine to Kamuli district where he is expected to hold a political rally.
Identified as Racheal Wambuzi, the reporter sustained injuries after a police officer from the Field Force Unit (FFU) reportedly hurled a teargas carnister towards the journalist who was executing her reporting duties.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon at Kamuli Road (Mailo-Mbili) around Gaz Petrol Station in Jinja city.
According to her close colleague, Isaac Kintu attached to NTV Uganda, Wambuzi was hit a teargas canister at her right ear when officers fired teargas in the air.
“Pray for our colleague Rachel from URN. She sustained wounds on her ear while covering Bobi wine procession along Mailo-Mbili round about. A police officer attached to the FFU unit deliberately hurled towards her. ” says Kintu.
Wambuzi is currently admitted to a private clinic at Kamuli Road in Jinja city where is obtaining medical attention, according to Kintu.
“She is slowly recovering following the medical management in the clinic,” Kintu said.
Bobi Wine was however blocked by police at Buwolero, a few kilometres to Kamuli town where was to address supporters from. Teargas and live bullets clouded in the air prompting the principal and his supporters to surrender.
Reports from Kamuli indicate that so far, 20 NUP leaders and supporters were apprehended in the morning while preparing the venue.
Moses Bigirwa, the NUP’s former aspirant for Kamuli municipality, said police and other security personnel seized their party offices in Kamuli town, firing teargas at the venue where Bobi Wine will address supporters from.
“The president has not yet reached, but I don’t know where police got guts to fire teargas,” Bigirwa said in the morning.
Police have not yet shared any comments and reports about these allegations.
