By Dennis Otim

28^th May 2012:

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has spoken out against the killing of Kasese journalist Amon Thembo Wa’Mupaghasya who was gunned down on May 12.  The killing of Alfredo Villatoro in Honduras was also condemned.

In relation to the killing of Uganda Journalist Thembo Wa’Mupaghasya, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova called for an investigation, in addition to condemning it.

“This crime is an intolerable attack on freedom of expression, a fundamental human right which forms the cornerstone of democracy,” she said. “The liberty to investigate and report important issues sustains social debate. Journalists must be able to work without fear of reprisal.”

Mr. Thembo Wa’Mupaghasya, who lived near Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was gunned down by unidentified assailants who also stole his bag and camera.

According to UNESCO, local authorities are reported to have launched an investigation into the case and are examining the possibility that the TV director was targeted for his work, with local media having reported that he had been the victim of unidentified attackers in the past, and that he had received numerous threats against his life.

Mr. Thembo Wa’Mupaghasya’s death marks the third journalist to be murdered in Uganda as of 2010. END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.