Uganda’s Richest Man Hamis Kigundu’s Security Guards Brutally Assault Journalists

The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has expressed profound discontent following the brutal assault of three journalists, David Ssekayombya from Bukedde TV, Isaac Tenywa, and Musisi Lwanga from Baba TV. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, has sparked outrage among the media fraternity and human rights organizations.

The journalists were on assignment, covering a fire that had broken out in one of Kampala businessman Hamis Kigundu’s (commonly known as Ham) properties in Nakivubo, Kampala. However, their reporting was abruptly and violently interrupted by Kigundu’s security guards. According to eyewitnesses, the guards, clad in black t-shirts, launched a vicious attack on the journalists, resulting in serious injuries and the destruction of their cameras.

The aftermath of this assault has left the journalists with significant health complications, and the damage to their equipment is a considerable professional and financial setback. A formal complaint has been filed with the Old Kampala Police Division under SD REF:128/28/08/2024, citing malicious damage and assault.

The UJA has condemned this act as a flagrant violation of press freedom and human rights. Emmanuel Kirunda, Secretary General of the UJA, spoke out against the attack, emphasizing that it represents a dangerous erosion of democratic values and freedom of expression. “The deliberate attack on our colleagues is a criminal act and a blatant human rights violation. It is not the role of any individual or their security personnel to dictate or interfere with the work of journalists,” Kirunda asserted.

This is not the first time Mr. Kigundu has been implicated in incidents involving journalists. In December 2022, he was accused of orchestrating the detention of senior journalist Dickson Mubiru after an unfavorable story about him was published. The recurrence of such incidents has raised alarms within the UJA and among advocates for press freedom.

The UJA is demanding the immediate arrest of the security guards involved in the attack, along with an apology from Kigundu and compensation for the journalists’ medical expenses and damaged equipment. “We demand justice, and we will not rest until the perpetrators are held accountable,” Kirunda declared.

In addition to this, the UJA is also calling for the arrest of Mr. Didas Mugisha, Director of Junias Nursery and Primary School in Gombe Division, Nansana Municipality. Mugisha is accused of assaulting journalists Robert Musanje and Daniel Sserwanga and damaging their equipment during a teachers’ industrial action on August 27, 2024.

Kirunda warned that the failure to address these incidents promptly and effectively could lead to further actions by the journalism community. “We cannot stand by as our country slides into lawlessness and impunity. We urge the authorities to take swift action to restore justice and ensure the safety of journalists,” he added.

The UJA’s strong stance underscores the critical need to safeguard press freedom in Uganda. The association calls on all stakeholders to ensure that those who attack journalists face the full weight of the law, as a free press is fundamental to the preservation of democracy and human rights.