The Journalists from the media houses across Teso Sub – region have declared their commitment in fighting the violation of human rights in the region.
The declaration was made on Monday 2th October 2023, during their interface with top officials from Uganda Human Rights Commission at Soroti Regional Offices.
The Journalists under their umbrellas of Teso Media Initiative for Development (TEMID) and Teso Journalists for Community Empowerment (TEJFOCE) endorsed the trinity with Uganda Human Rights Commission in their joint move to secure communities from destructive violence.
Sam Odongo the Chairperson of Teso Media Initiative for Development (TEMID) raised an urgent need for the Human Rights entity to unsparingly take action on the violators of the rights of citizens in all forms.
Reference was drawn from an incident where Journalists were beaten during the Bukedea LC.V Bye – Election in the Month of June 2023, among the victims was Eddy Enuru of NBS Television who was beaten and his equipment vandalized in the presence of Police officers and the officials of electoral commission while he was carrying out his duty.
Odongo said that Journalists and media practitioners have remained one of the key targets by the armed forces especially now that the country is entering into active time of politics.
“I have the great optimism that this coalition shall yield results as Journalists have now build a staunch connection with Uganda Human Rights Commission and other human rights defenders.” he said.
Adding, “We shall now head to the communities to reveal cases of human Rights Violation and guide the public to the right offices for the law to take it’s course.”
In a meeting was the Uganda Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mariam Fauzat who commended the Teso media for a good connection with the commission.
She deteriorated government’s efforts in upholding the rights of Citizens, however she now call on the public to report cases of Violence and cooperate with them in the prosecution process.
Meanwhile Josephine Akello the Uganda Human Rights Commission Regional manager Eastern Uganda revealed that the hearing process of 15 files by the tribunal court began on Monday as they continue receiving more cases from the members of the public.
“The law is committed to take action on the violators, we encourage the public to extend to us cases of human rights Violation and evidences to ease our process.” she said.
She further revealed that the commission has already began investigating the case in Bukedea district where Journalists were beaten during the Bukedea bye – election.