In a distressing incident late Monday night, Male Deogratius, a respected journalist for Hoima Post and Metro FM, was severely beaten by unidentified attackers near his home in Kubadongo, Salama Road, within the Makindye Division of Kampala. Known professionally as Omusawo Tintah, he was attacked around 10 PM and subsequently hospitalized.
Deogratius was promptly taken to Good Samaritan Clinic in Makindye, where he is currently being treated for multiple injuries and experiencing significant breathing difficulties.
During a phone interview, Deogratius recounted the harrowing encounter. He stated that the assailants demanded to know the sources of his funding and his motivation for publishing articles supportive of human rights and LGBTQ rights on his website, www.hoimapost.com. The attackers sternly warned him against continuing his advocacy, threatening harm to him and his family if he persisted.
The journalist also mentioned that he has repeatedly received anonymous threats urging him to cease his advocacy work.
As of now, Deogratius Male continues to suffer from respiratory issues and pain in his back, head, and hands while being treated at the clinic.
This attack takes on greater significance in the context of Uganda’s recent Anti-Homosexuality Law, enacted in May 2023, which criminalizes consensual same-sex relations with a life sentence and imposes up to 20 years imprisonment for promoting LGBTQ rights through media.
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), through its spokesperson Kabuye Ronald, has publicly condemned the attack and urged the police to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. Ronald emphasized that this attack represents a severe violation of press freedom as protected under Articles 29 and 40 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.
This violent incident is part of a disturbing trend of increasing threats and physical attacks against journalists, particularly those covering sensitive subjects such as human rights issues. Male Deogratius, renowned for his dedication to these matters, continues to advocate for critical national issues despite these challenges.
