The Police yesterday said it was investigating city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba over allegations of assault.
This follows a Monday incident in which the businessman assaulted a New Vision journalist, Arthur Kintu, at Namboole Stadium during NRM special organs conference.
Yesterday Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba confirmed that a probe had been instituted against the businessman.
Basajjabalaba is the NRM chairperson for Bushenyi district and chairman of the NRM entrepreneurs’ league.
“We are investigating him on the allegation of assault and he has been summoned,” Nabakooba said.
She said Basajja was slated to appear before the Kampala criminal investigations department boss, Paul Kato, yesterday morning. However, by press time, the Police was still waiting for him.
A September 7 Police medical report indicated that Kintu suffered wounds on the upper and lower lips and on the right cheek after he was slapped and punched.
Nabakooba said Basajja had been informed through a telephone call to appear before Kato on Thursday.
Basajja, a proprietor of several hotels, universities and hospitals, is also accused of bribing NRM voters during the party conference at Namboole.
He is said to have assaulted Kintu while he was taking his picture, shortly after winning the chairmanship of the entrepreneur’s league. Kintu recorded a statement at the Namboole Police post on Monday.
Kintu is not the first journalist to be attacked by Basajja.
Two months ago, the businessman roughed up Ivan Kalanzi, a journalist with Radio One, at the Uganda Moslem Supreme Council headquarters in Old Kampala.
The assault has drawn condemnations from various human rights groups and media organisations.
The International Federation of Journalists called for an investigation into the incident.
“It is necessary to investigate this incident and hold this businessman accountable, given his track record of attacking journalists,” said Gabriel Baglo, the head of the organization in Africa.
“It is unacceptable and no one is above the law. We support our colleague’s pursuit for justice” Baglo said in a statement.
