Mukono DPC Mugerwa Bernard expressed police’s commitment to ensure brotherly relationship between his team and journalists in future and to observe whatever has been agreed upon in the name of stepping up all-round peace and security.
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After ages of cat-and-mouse relationship between the media and police, a ray of hope is coming to light after the two held a fence-mending soccer match at Bishop’s East Primary School in Mukono, organized by the Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ).
The match which is a precursor to the ongoing election campaigns and a preparation for the forthcoming 2026 general elections, is a pre-arrangement during an earlier reconciliation interaction between journalists and the police held earlier in the year, during which it was agreed that the two meet in a friendly soccer match to seal all past frictions.
The match, held purely in a jovial mood by all players and spectators, was blessed by among others, Mukono DPC Mugerwa Bernard who at one point could not contain the excitement, pulled on the jersey and jumped into the field. Other spectacular people in attendance included HRNJ Executive Director Robert Ssempala, the Project Officer Prossy Charlotte Ogwang, and board members Moses Kizito Buule who is also the Asst RDC for Buvuma, and Ronald Kalumba.
The game, judged by Benon Kamala Kanamwangi as referee, started off as scheduled and at half time, the score was 1 – 1, with the journalists’ goal scored by Kiirya Edgar, and Ronald Opiro having scored the police goal. At one point, the commentator, Dalton Matovu of Daltex Media discovered that the police team had twelve players, one player above the FUFA-sanctioned eleven, and matters were put to order.
During the penalty shootout, journalists managed to shake the security men’s net three times while, in their turn, they scored two, giving the scribes the day and, of course, the trophy. The game is a follow up of an earlier one in Kampala where the UPDF harassed the HRNJ team.
Before Mukono Central Division council Speaker Allan Mawanda handed over the trophy to the winners, HRNJ ED Ssempala Robert appealed to police to walk the talk by putting aside batons and tear gas canisters when dealing with news reports and, in case of any flaw, to arrest them in a civil manner, and arraign them in court after collecting incriminating evidence.
He said fair play can only be seen to be exercised by giving the journalists an opportunity to defend themselves in court other than handling them in an extra judiciary manner. He cited the case of TOP TV’s reporter Miracle, who was badly injured by gun shots during the Kawempe North by election fracas. Incidentally, Miracle was present and filming the police-media match.
Mukono DPC Mugerwa Bernard expressed police’s commitment to ensure brotherly relationship between his team and journalists in future and to observe whatever has been agreed upon in the name of stepping up all-round peace and security.
“We have developed the opportunity to work as compatriots and to get more acquainted, and despite the wish of prophets of doom, I wish to assure you that police will never be attracted into mistreating you,” he swore.
Buvuma Asst RDC Moses Kizito Buule, both a journalist and an executive of the HNRJ, thanked the network for identifying an effective means of cementing gaps between two very important estates in the formation and strengthening of peace in the country, especially at a time when Ugandans are getting close to elections.
He suggested that the encounter be seen as a beginning point for dialogue between the two, and an avenue for ruling out any form of clashes and friction.
