EHORN Condemns Attacks on Journalists During Kawempe North By-Election

The recent Kawempe North by-election was marred by alarming incidents of violence against journalists, drawing widespread condemnation from both local and international organizations.

The East and Horn of Africa Election Observation Network (EHORN) has strongly denounced these attacks, warning that they represent a blatant violation of press freedom and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

In a statement, EHORN expressed deep concern over the increasing hostility toward media professionals covering elections in Uganda.

The organization emphasized that journalists play a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability and that any form of violence, harassment, or intimidation against them not only infringes on their rights but also erodes public confidence in democratic institutions.

During the by-election, several journalists were subjected to brutal assaults while covering the voting process.

Security forces, both in uniform and plainclothes, targeted media personnel, inflicting physical harm and damaging their equipment.

Among those affected were Abubaker Lubowa (Daily Monitor), Raymond Tamale, Hasifah Nanvuma, and Denis Kabugo (NTV), Francis Isano (NBS TV), Hassan Wasswa (NBS TV) and Hakim Wampamba (NBS TV) who were beaten while trying to document the events.

NTV’s David Ijjo narrowly escaped a severe attack with the help of local residents.

“I was covering the voting process when security forces began attacking journalists. I ran and jumped over a barrier, and it was the NUP supporters who pulled me to safety,” he recounted.

The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), Uganda Journalists’ Association (UJA), and the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) responded swiftly by announcing a boycott of all activities involving the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).

UPPA president Sam Mugabi Ibanda declared that journalists would no longer cover agencies that continue to harass and assault members of the press.

EHORN has urged Ugandan authorities, particularly the Electoral Commission and security agencies, to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on journalists during the Kawempe North by-election and guarantee the safety and protection of journalists covering electoral events to enable them to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.

The organisation also demands upholding of media freedom as enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Uganda is a signatory, and ensuring free and fair elections by promoting a secure and inclusive environment where all stakeholders, including the media, can operate freely.

The government, through ICT and National Guidance Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, acknowledged the incidents but called for a balanced review.

“It is not good what happened to them, but we also have to know what happened from the accused side,” he stated while appearing on NBS TV

Meanwhile, the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) condemned the attacks, stating that the conduct of security agents threatens independent journalism and civic participation in democratic processes.

“The unrestrained actions of security forces endanger legitimate political activities and undermine access to critical election-related information,” said ACME Executive Director Dr. George Lugalambi.

EHORN reaffirmed its commitment to defending media freedoms across the East and Horn of Africa region. The organization called on civil society, human rights defenders, and the international community to remain vigilant and continue advocating for the protection of journalists.