The Kawempe North by-election has been marred by violent attacks on journalists, with multiple media personnel assaulted, arrested, and having their equipment confiscated by security operatives.
The wave of brutality has drawn sharp condemnation from political leaders, media organizations, and human rights groups, raising concerns over press freedom and the credibility of the electoral process in Uganda.
Security forces, including Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel and plainclothes operatives, launched a crackdown on journalists covering the by-election.
At Kazo Angola polling station, Nation Media Group (NMG) journalists Abubaker Lubowa, Raymond Tamale, and Dennis Kabugo were violently apprehended and taken to unknown locations in unmarked vehicles, commonly referred to as “drones.”
Similarly, NBS Television journalists Hassan Wasswa and Francis Isano were brutally attacked and sustained severe injuries, requiring hospitalization. Their equipment was also destroyed.
The attacks were not limited to a few media houses. Journalists from BBS Terefayina, Radio Simba, and other outlets also faced harassment, with some being forced to delete footage of the election process.
Following the violent crackdown, several media houses made the unprecedented decision to withdraw their journalists from covering the by-election, citing security concerns.
Nation Media Group, NBS Television, Radio Simba, and BBS Terefayina all pulled their reporters off the ground.
“We have taken the difficult decision to temporarily withdraw our journalists from covering the Kawempe North by-election because they are being targeted and attacked by armed soldiers and undercover security operatives,” said Daniel Kalinaki, a general manger of NMG-Uganda.
The move by media houses reflects the growing risk journalists face while covering political events in Uganda, as press freedoms continue to be challenged by state security forces.
The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has expressed outrage over the brutality against journalists covering Kawempe North by elections.
Speaking to Nile Post, the party’s acting national coordinator, Alice Alaso Asianut, described the attacks as “terrible and totally unacceptable,” warning that they undermine free, fair, and credible elections.
“It is a sign of very bad times ahead and a prediction of the instability to come. To say the least, it is the state against its people and the media,” Alaso said.
She extended prayers for strength and swift healing to all journalists and victims of the attacks.
The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) also strongly condemned the violence, describing it as a blatant assault on press freedom.
ACME’s executive director, Dr George Lugalambi, called for immediate action to protect journalists and hold perpetrators accountable.
