Abu Mukasa’s Alleged Crackdown on Journalists Sparks Outcry Over Press Freedom in Uganda

Abubaker Mukasa Muyunga, commonly known as Abu Mukasa, has come under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in silencing critical journalistic voices in Uganda. The crackdown on media freedom began in June 2024 with the arrest and imprisonment of Grape Vine online journalists Alirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru. The duo was detained after publishing a story implicating the Vitol licenser, UNOC, in a parliamentary corruption scandal.

Sources reveal that a high-ranking parliamentary official, whose identity remains undisclosed, was infuriated by the article and played a role in the journalists’ incarceration. The official reportedly sent intermediaries to Luzira Murchison Bay Prison, urging the journalists to apologize in exchange for their release. However, the journalists refused, suspecting a ploy to force them into admitting guilt for crimes they did not commit.

Despite further attempts by security personnel to broker a deal on behalf of Abu Mukasa and the parliamentary official, the journalists stood firm, choosing to endure their imprisonment until their eventual release on bail after a protracted legal battle. The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) played a pivotal role in securing their freedom.

The controversy deepened in December 2024 when Richard Wanambwa, a journalist with Eagle Online, was arrested on charges of demanding money and property with menace. Wanambwa, who pleaded not guilty, was arraigned before Nakawa Chief Magistrate Christine Nantege and remanded to Luzira Prison. The charges were brought by Abu Mukasa and Sheikh Muhammad Bin Juma Maktoum, a prominent investor linked to Vitol and UNOC.

Prosecution documents allege that Wanambwa demanded $50,000,$30,000, and 72 million shillings from individuals connected to Abu Mukasa, including Alexander Kibandama, the brother of Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. The case has drawn widespread criticism, with observers condemning the alleged misuse of state machinery to target journalists.

Richard Birivumbuka, the prosecutor representing Abu Mukasa and Sheikh Maktoum, has been accused of employing underhanded tactics to frustrate Wanambwa’s legal defense. During a court session on January 29, 2025, Birivumbuka successfully amended the charge sheet to include nine additional counts, including hate speech under the Computer Misuse Act. He also attempted to open multiple cases against Wanambwa in different courts, leading to a heated exchange with a magistrate over procedural irregularities.

Birivumbuka’s actions have drawn parallels to his role in the high-profile case of the late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, who was repeatedly denied bail despite deteriorating health. Ssegirinya’s death in custody sparked outrage, with many blaming the judicial system for his untimely demise.

As Wanambwa’s case continues, human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have condemned the alleged harassment of journalists. The Uganda Journalists Association and the Human Rights Network for Journalists are providing legal support to Wanambwa, whose bail application is set for consideration on February 11, 2025.

This unfolding saga highlights growing concerns about press freedom and the rule of law in Uganda, with critics accusing powerful figures like Abu Mukasa of using their influence to suppress dissent. The case has also raised questions about the government’s commitment to upholding human rights, particularly as Uganda remains a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Fundamental Human Rights.

In the next installment of this investigation, we will delve deeper into the role of security agencies in perpetuating these alleged injustices and the broader implications for Uganda’s democracy.