Internal Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire has issued a cautionary statement to the media and other news outlets in the wake of the attempted murder of Pastor Aloysius Bugingo, urging them to refrain from disseminating half-baked information and engaging in speculative reporting regarding the controversial theories surrounding the incident.
During an appearance on Bukedde TV’s Olugamba Mu Kyenkya program, Otafiire addressed the public pressure on the police to swiftly release the report on the attempted murder, which resulted in the tragic death of the pastor’s driver, Richard Muhumuza. The minister emphasized the need for thorough investigations and the requisite time for compiling comprehensive reports.
“You cannot expect to have such reports in just a few days because there is much done during the investigation. Several departments handle different aspects, and they all need to gather sufficient information before producing a comprehensive report,” explained Otafiire.
He underscored the importance of media verification before disseminating information, cautioning against relying solely on speculations. Otafiire emphasized that criminal cases depend on concrete evidence and proof, discouraging the media from making baseless accusatory statements without proper verification.
“The media should not dwell on mere speculations. You cannot accuse someone of something without evidence. You must prove beyond doubt that this is what happened,” he added.
Otafiire also criticized the police for their failure to brief and update the media on various cases and initiatives taken to follow them up, urging law enforcement agencies to provide accurate information to the public.
Notably, social media has been rife with speculation surrounding the attempted murder, with some suggesting it was a poorly planned stunt. However, as of now, there have been no confirmed reports about the exact circumstances of the incident, emphasizing the need for careful and accurate reporting.
