Media Fraternity Condemns Arrest of Journalist During LC I Elections
By Our Reporter
The media fraternity in the Lango Sub-region has condemned the arrest and detention of Denis Arao, a journalist with TND Online News, by security personnel on Tuesday.
Arao was arrested while covering the Local Council I elections at Ireda in Lira City.
Speaking to Facts Media from a police cell, Arao said he was carrying out an assignment from his editor when chaos erupted at the polling station. As he took photographs of the incident, security personnel allegedly seized him, confiscated his phone, and deleted all the images he had captured.
“They descended on me after realising that I was taking pictures of the chaos, confiscated my phone and deleted all the pictures I had taken,” Arao said.
He further alleged that he was assaulted before being dragged to the police cell at Ireda Police Station in Lira City East Division.
Emmy Akwam, the Executive Director of GLCMS, expressed concern over Arao’s arrest, saying it was an attack on media freedom and journalists’ ability to perform their duties.
“GLCMS condemns this arrest and calls on institutions, journalists, and human rights organisations to demand the unconditional release of Denis Arao,” Akwam said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Emmy Opeto of the Lango News Network also condemned the arrest and called for Arao’s immediate release.
He urged the authorities to respect press freedom and ensure that journalists can carry out their work safely, without intimidation, harassment, or unlawful interference.
North Kioga Police spokesperson said that Arao was taken to Ireda Estate Police Station. He stated that Arao was not being held in the police cells but was in the office of the Officer in Charge (OC) of the station. He added that there is no cause for alarm, as the matter is being handled.
