Two journalists based in the Teso Sub-region are counting losses after unknown thugs broke into their premises in separate incidents, making away with valuable property, work tools, and personal belongings.
Veteran journalist Godfrey Ojore, who works with New Vision, revealed that his house was broken into on Thursday night, with the robbers stealing several household items, including electronics, clothing, and government property belonging to his wife.
In a statement shared, Ojore narrated that the thugs gained access to his home through the kitchen window, which they allegedly destroyed using a corrosive chemical believed to be acid.
“Thugs broke into my house on Thursday night and took away a flat-screen TV (32 inches), flat iron, shoes, some clothes, my wife’s iPad, a power bank, bed sheets, and her clothes,” Ojore said.
“After the nomination that afternoon, I left to escort the body of our in-law to the village from Bethesda where it was kept. The burial was for Friday, so we spent the night in the village. The house was locked with two strong padlocks, but the thugs managed to enter through the kitchen window,” he added.
Ojore said he only discovered the break-in upon returning home on Friday evening, shocked to find most of his belongings missing.
He added that his neighbors did not hear any suspicious noise or activity during the night, a detail that has left him puzzled about how the burglars managed to execute the break-in undetected.
He described the incident as a painful reminder of a similar ordeal he suffered nine months ago, when thugs raided his home, chloroformed his family, and took away vital work equipment.
“If I had left the new equipment I recently acquired, I would be back to zero again. I thank God that I’m alive; He will give me more. The iPad they stole is a government property my wife was using,” Ojore stated, expressing relief that no one was harmed.
Meanwhile, another journalist, Julius Ojula of Jocare Media Services, was also targeted by unknown burglars who broke into his office in Kengere Ward, located just a few meters from Kengere Police Station.
According to Ojula, the thieves made off with a professional camera, a computer, and other valuable items, dealing a heavy blow to his media operations.
The journalist said he was shocked that such an incident could occur so close to a police station, adding that he now fears for his safety and that of other media professionals who often work late into the night.
“The thugs broke into my office and stole my work equipment. What is disturbing is that the office is next to Kengere Police Station. We really need the police to step up vigilance,” Ojula said.
Both journalists have since reported their cases to the police, who have launched investigations into the two incidents.
The recent incidents have sparked concern among journalists and residents of Soroti City, who say cases of burglary and theft are on the rise despite the presence of several police stations in the area.
Teso Journalists for Community Empowerment (TEJFOCE) through it’s spokesperson has since condemned the attacks, describing them as not only criminal but also a serious setback to press freedom and the safety of journalists.
John Ogulei the Spokesperson of TEJFOCE has urged authorities to expedite investigations and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“Journalists are already operating under challenging conditions. Losing vital work tools to theft further cripples their ability to inform the public. We urge police to take these matters seriously,” Ogulei said.
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