Anxiety has gripped the media fraternity following the arrest and disappearance of several journalists amid rising election tensions in Kawempe North.
Reports indicate that multiple journalists have been detained, while others remain missing under unclear circumstances, sparking fears of a targeted crackdown on the press. Witnesses describe chaotic scenes where unidentified men, some in Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) uniforms and others in plain clothes forcefully arrested journalists, bundling them into unmarked drones before driving off to unknown locations.
Among those arrested or missing are Abu Lubowa, Denis Kagubo, and Raymon Tamale, all affiliated with the Nation Media Group (NMG), which includes Daily Monitor, NTV, and Spark TV. Eyewitnesses reported brutal scenes of journalists being beaten before being taken away.
“They were badly assaulted, and the men who took them didn’t identify themselves. Some wore military uniforms, while others were in plain clothes. It was chaotic, and people were too scared to intervene,” recounted a bystander who requested anonymity.
In response to the attacks, NTV Uganda has announced its withdrawal from covering the by-election over concerns about the safety of its journalists. The arrests follow earlier attacks on reporters in Kawempe, Mbogo, and Kazo-Angola, where police and security officers allegedly assaulted journalists.
Those injured include Hafiswa Nanvuma of NMG, Gabriel Owori of Salt Media, and Everest Mukibi from Bukedde FM, whose cameras and equipment were also destroyed. Everest Mukibi described the ordeal, stating that it appeared security personnel deliberately targeted him and his colleagues during the assault.
Meanwhile, NBS reporter Hakiims Wampamba managed to escape from security operatives and recounted the situation during a broadcast interview.
“The situation was volatile, with security forces specifically targeting journalists covering the by-election,” he said.
NBS photojournalist Francis Isano was hospitalized after being assaulted by security operatives. Following the escalating attacks, NBS has withdrawn some of its reporters from Kawempe North to ensure their safety. Speaking to URN, Abu Lubowa confirmed that several other journalists from Galaxy TV, Salt TV, and other outlets have also been arrested. They are currently detained at Kawempe police station.
According to Lubowa, the journalists were apprehended by UPDF for allegedly portraying a negative image of the military and were subsequently handed over to the police. Those injured include Moses Waiswa of Busoga One FM.
Despite mounting concerns, police and other security agencies have remained tight-lipped about the situation. When contacted, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango declined to provide details, stating that all official communication would come from National Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke.
“We are working on it, but the National PRO will give a briefing at 4 PM at the tally center,” Onyango said.
The briefing is expected to take place at the National Tally Center in Makerere. The rising hostility toward journalists has forced many to abandon their press jackets once a symbol of safety out of fear of being targeted.
“It’s becoming impossible to identify as a journalist in this election. We are being hunted,” said a journalist who requested anonymity for safety reasons. Meanwhile, security forces have intensified their presence at polling stations, with military police, UPDF officers, and heavily armed personnel patrolling key locations.
Drones and surveillance equipment have also been deployed, further heightening concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists covering the elections.
I would be suprised if this didn`t happen . This is desperate dictatorship that is looking at its end and is trying to delay it by hook and crook.
There is will be more blood as we move forward . This what you get when you have a ruler with EDD issues.
It is unfortunate that this long serving government is organizing democratic elections that clearly seem to be out of bounds from the national and international press. So how can these state power hungry politicians continue to encourage their supporters to attend en mass and participate into such violent and brutal elections? These are so called opposition politicians, unsympathetic who are determined to participate in very brutal successive elections that have put their supporters at risk of imprisonment and death now for many years and counting. Therefore it is a better advice for the Ganda fraternity whenever they are in the country of Buganda Kingdom state, to stop getting involved in such national mulpractices that continue to tarnish the renown culture and history of the ancient African Kingdom state of Buganda. Such African political and military tyranny is putting the life and rights of the people of Buganda in jeopardy!
Many Ugandans know . That is what counts . Cowards will be exposed