Lira city-based journalist Bismark Isaac Olong, who works with Unity FM 97.7, has won a five-year legal battle against his brutal assault by former Lira Municipal Mayor Mike Ogwang Olwa Veve.
The High Court of Uganda at Lira, presided over by Justice Duncan Gaswaga, ruled on May 14, 2025, in favor of Olong, awarding him Shs 10 million in compensation and general damages.
The incident occurred on January 18, 2020, while Olong was covering a meeting between a group of Adyeri division councillors and Ogwang at the Municipal offices.
According to the court ruling, Ogwang ordered Olong and other journalists to leave the meeting room, which they complied with until “a heated argument erupted” between the councillors and Ogwang, prompting journalists to record the incident.
This led to the intervention of the anti-riot police, led by the then-officer in charge of operations at Lira Central Police Station, SSP Kawa.
To get a clear picture of the incident, Olong stated that he and his colleagues stepped up to the entrance of the room, standing next to police officers. When Olong attempted to get a clearer view of the situation, Ogwang jumped from his chair and assaulted him.
In the interest of fighting impunity by perpetrators of journalists’ rights, HRNJ-Uganda supported Olong’s legal battle through their lawyers, Walyemera & Co. Advocates, from the outset to the logical conclusion of the case.
Reacting to the win, Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of HRNJ-Uganda, said, “This victory is a demonstration of the power of justice and the importance of press freedom. We commend Bismark for his courage and resilience in seeking justice.”
He added that Ogwang should serve as an example to rogue powerful individuals, affirming that HRNJ-Uganda remains determined to “defend journalists’ rights through all lawful means possible.”
The court granted the following declarations and orders:
Declarations
The arbitrary acts of punching, slapping, and assaulting Olong infringed upon and/or violated his rights protected by Articles 24, 27, 40(2), and 44(a) of the Constitution.
The arbitrary, unreasonable, and unlawful disruption and restriction of Olong from performing his duties infringed upon and/or threatened his rights protected by Articles 23(1), (2), (3), 29(1)(a), 29(2)(a), and 40(2) of the Constitution.
Court orders Ogwang to pay compensation to Olong in the sum of Shs 5,000,000, to pay general damages to Olong in the sum of Shs 5,000,000, to pay the taxed costs of the suit to Olong.
