Unknown thugs storm radio studio, beat up presenters

AMOLATAR, UGANDA: Three people in Amolatar district are in trouble for gaining forceful access into the studio of Hot FM Radio and assaulting staff.

The suspects include; Otum Pala, Moses Okullu, and Innocent Ocen who were arrested on Monday morning shortly after storming the studios of Hot Fm where they assaulted Alphonse Odur alias Fege Hege, who was on air together with Baker Okello and Ladye Ojok Barbra, all presenters.

They also allegedly vandalized the studio computer and chairs. Police deployed at the station and temporarily switched off the radio.

Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Police spokesperson, says that they swung into action to avoid more chaos. He says that the trio has been charged with assault, malicious damage, and criminal trespass.

Desire Ochen, the Manager of Hot FM Radio told URN that she was still recording a statement about the incident at the Amolatar Central Police station and would comment later when contacted by our reporter.

Although Okema says police are yet to establish the motive of the attackers, some locals claim it was orchestrated by supporters of a rival station in the area.

“We suspect that Adupa Ongwec who is attached to Kioga FM is behind this attack because there are rumors that Adupa had a meeting with these suspects on Sunday evening. This is just politics,” a local said.

However, Sarah Ejang, the Supervisor of Kioga FM denied claims that their station is behind the attack, saying that a police investigation will reveal the truth.

For a long time, there has been a silent “war” between the supporters of Doreen Amule, the former woman MP Amolatar who is also the proprietor of Kioga FM, and supporters of Agnes Atim Apea, the proprietor of Hot Fm and the current Woman MP.

The two camps counter-accuse each other of using their radio stations to front their political agenda and discredit each other.

Hot and Koiga FM are the only radio stations in Amolatar District