Unknown assailants set fire to Robert Muhereza's home on 8 December. The journalist had previously reported on events related to fighting between M23 rebels and DR Congo forces at border between Uganda and the DR Congo.
(HRNJ-Uganda/IFEX) – 8 December 2012 – Unknown assailants have set fire to Robert Muhereza’s home using a combustible liquid. He is the second journalist in the same district to be attacked in a period of one and a half years after Goodluck Musinguzi, a New Vision journalist.
Muhereza, a correspondent for the Daily Monitor in the Kabale district, Western Uganda, told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that the attack happened in the early hours of 8 December, 2012.
HRNJ-Uganda has learned that the assailants jumped over a 10 meter high perimeter wall, opposite the area police station, to attack a family of four.
“At 3am, I heard someone outside my house’s main door and woke up. I also woke up my wife and, upon peeping through the bedroom window, I saw someone with a plastic bottle pouring some liquid stuff at my door steps. I raised the alarm and the assailant dressed like a man quickly started [a] fire before taking off. Neighbors came to my rescue but found…the fire had burnt a curtain and part of the main door. I stay near the police, but by the time someone gets the courage to attack me, he/she behind it must be serious. I fear for my life and my family because anytime, anything is bound to happen again,” said Muhereza.
He said he hadn’t been involved in anything critical apart from his previous reporting on events at the Uganda-Congo border, resulting from fighting between M23 rebels and DR Congo forces.
Olivia Wabwire, the Regional Police Commander for the Kigezi Region, confirmed the incident. She said that one suspect has been arrested, and exhibits have been recovered at the scene. Wabire added that investigations are still ongoing.
