News
FCAU urges speedy police investigation of alleged journalist beating
published on 10.04.2012 by admin
Kampala – The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda calls on the police to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into an official complaint by one of its members over an alleged beating by police officers.
Edward Echwalu, a freelance photojournalist working for Reuters and The Observer newspaper, on Thursday April 5 recorded a statement with the police’s Professional Standards Unit after alleging he was assaulted by police officers while carrying out his work.
Echwalu says he was beaten by four police officers using batons and a rifle butt outside Kira Road police station in Kampala on March 21 as he tried to cover the detention of opposition activists.
Following his statement, Echwalu submitted evidence of his assault to the police’s Professional Standards Unit, containing the initial report of the alleged beating at Kira Road police station, photos of the concerned police officers and a medical note detailing his injuries.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda wishes to remind the police’s Professional Standards Unit of their promise to thoroughly investigate the matter within three weeks and and hold anyone found responsible accountable.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU) is an organisation of journalists working in Uganda for foreign and international news-media.
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