By Moses Kidandi
The Kabale District Local Council 5 Chairperson, Mr. Keihwa Patrick Besigye is on the spot for allegedly slapping a radio journalist.
Arinitwe Emmanuel a journalist with voice of Kigezi says the genesis of the assault arose from a story he had earlier covered at the District Council meeting, during which the district councilors tasked Mr. Keihwa Patrick Besigye to explain what actions he had taken against the former Acting District Engineer, Mr. Kiganda James.
An investigation by district officials had unearthed that Mr. Kiganda James had embezzled about Ug.Shs. 40,000,000 (over USD 10,000) that was meant for the construction of 4 roads within the District.
When Mr. Kiganda was invited to appear before the council to explain the circumstances under which the said money had disappeared, he snubbed the summons prompting the Council to task the LC5 chairperson to initiate ways of recovering the money and ensuring that appropriate disciplinary and legal action is taken against Mr. Kiganda.
Mr. Keihwathe chairman stormed the studio and beat up the journalist while ranting and hurling insults as to why they were publishing the information.
Robert Sempala the National coordinator Human Rights network for journalists says the actions by the chairman are part of the numerous human rights violations in the form of intimidation, harassment and violence that media practitioners experience in their line of work .