Three journalists—Tenywa Isaac, Lwanga Musisi, and David Ssekayombya—were brutally attacked by a private bodyguard of prominent businessman Ham Kiggundu while covering a fire at one of Kiggundu’s buildings in Kampala on August 28, 2024.
The journalists, representing Baba TV and Bukedde TV, were at the scene to report on the fire when they encountered hostility from Kiggundu’s bodyguard, who accused them of trespassing. According to their account shared with HRNJ-Uganda on August 30, 2024, the situation quickly escalated into violence.
“We noticed thick smoke billowing from Ham’s building and began covering the incident,” Ssekayombya recounted. “We had been filming for about 10 minutes when Ham arrived with his bodyguards. Suddenly, they attacked us, claiming we weren’t invited to cover the event. My camera was smashed with a piece of wood, and we were forced to flee when they began throwing stones.”
The journalists reported the attack to the police but encountered difficulties in filing their case. “We finally managed to file an assault and malicious damage case at CPS, but the process was challenging. The police initially avoided taking our case, likely due to fear of Ham’s influence,” Ssekayombya explained.
This incident marks the fifth assault on journalists by hostile individuals within just one week in Uganda, underscoring the increasingly dangerous environment for media professionals in the country.
Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of HRNJ-Uganda, condemned the attack and called for immediate action. “This assault is a blatant violation of journalists’ rights and a serious threat to media freedom in Uganda. We urge the authorities to act swiftly against the perpetrators and ensure that journalists can perform their duties without fear of violence,” Ssempala stated. “It’s crucial that those responsible for these attacks are held accountable to prevent further erosion of press freedom in Uganda.”
