News
May 2, 2012
Case of alleged beating – World Press Freedom Day
Kampala – The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda expresses grave concern and disappointment with the way in which the Ugandan police’s Professional Standards Unit has handled the investigation into the alleged beating of FCAU member Edward Echwalu, a freelance photojournalist who works for Reuters and Ugandan newspaper The Observer.
Echwalu, accompanied by two foreign correspondents based in Kampala, lodged a complaint with the Professional Standards Unit on April 5. In his recorded statement Echwalu alleges having been 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.
Despite promises made on April 5 to thoroughly investigate the case within three weeks and to update Echwalu regularly on the proceedings, the Professional Standards Unit has not communicated in any way with either FCAU or Echwalu as of May 2, nearly a month after the official complaint was lodged.
April 10, 2012
FCAU urges speedy police investigation of alleged journalist beating
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.
January 25, 2012
Ugandan photojournalist shot at from police van
The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda voices grave concern over reports that a plain-clothed security operative deliberately opened fire at one of its members, Isaac Kasamani, on Tuesday 24th January.
The alleged incident took place at the Gayaza Road roundabout in the Kampala suburb of Kalerwe where Kasamani, a freelance photojournalist who works for AFP and the Daily Monitor, was covering the aftermath of Tuesday’s opposition rally. Kasamani says that a man traveling in a police van, with the registration plate UP 1928, opened the vehicle door and deliberately shot toward him as he was taking a photo.
Uganda enjoys a reputation as a hospitable country for working for foreign media. In light of Tuesday’s events FCAU calls on Ugandan authorities to investigate the reports and take appropriate action to ensure that freedom of the press continues to be preserved.
January 15, 2012
FCAU announces plan for photography competition for Ugandan photojournalists
KAMPALA, January 15th – The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU) has announced plans to run a photography competition for Ugandan photojournalists in 2012. The winners, along with some of the Association members, will get a chance to showcase their work at a photo exhibition to be held in Kampala.
Michele Sibiloni, an AFP photojournalist who is organizing the competition, said, “There are many talented Ugandan photojournalists, and the exhibition will be a unique opportunity to promote our work together.”
The details of the competition will be posted on the FCAU website (www.fcau.org) in the coming weeks. The photography competition is part of a wider plan to increase interaction between the association and journalists working for Ugandan media. This was agreed at the Association’s second Annual General Meeting, held in Kampala.
At the meeting Joshua Mmali, BBC and Malcolm Webb, Aljazeera were re-elected as co-chairs, to lead an elected board that runs the Association and organizes events. The Association was founded in May 2011 and has since grown to nearly 30 members. “Our first year was a great success and the association is moving from strength to strength. We’ve held several events, including off-record briefings with key newsmakers, which have proven to be a great forum for exchanging thoughts and ideas for both the journalists and the guests. We’re looking forward to hosting more briefings this year,” Mmali said.
May 25, 2011
Uganda foreign correspondents form professional association
KAMPALA, May 25th – Journalists representing the foreign media in Uganda have¬ held the first Annual General Meeting of the newly formed Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU) – a networking organisation that will promote their professional interests.
Uganda has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the most hospitable countries in Africa for foreign correspondents, who have always appreciated the freedom to do their jobs unimpeded. The FCAU, with an initial membership of 15, pledges to do its part to ensure that this continues.
Malcolm Webb and Joshua Mmali were elected co-chairs at the meeting. Several board members were also elected from a broad range of international media outlets.
“We’re very excited about the opportunities that the Association will provide, not only for the journalists, but also for everybody in Uganda that works with the foreign and international press,” Webb said.
The FCAU will operate as a non-profit association, holding regular meetings and inviting newsmakers and experts to off the record discussions on developments in Uganda.
It will also serve as a one-stop shop for communications officers, press attachés or anybody else who wants to make contact with Uganda’s community of foreign correspondents.
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