Security operatives have brutally attacked and arrested several journalists covering the Kawempe North Member of Parliament by-election, with some sustaining injuries and others missing following their arrests.
The violence erupted at Kazo Angola polling station, where security forces cracked down on individuals accused of disrupting the voting process. Among those arrested were two opposition MPs from the National Unity Platform (NUP), Geoffrey Kayemba Ssolo (Bukomansimbi South) and Hillary Kiyaga (Mawokota North), who were whisked away by security operatives under unclear charges.
Journalists attempting to document the arrests were met with violent force from UPDF soldiers and cane-wielding men believed to be undercover security operatives. Several media personnel were beaten, cameras were destroyed, and some equipment was confiscated.
Journalists Beaten and Arrested
Nation Media Group (NMG) journalist Hasifah Nanvuma recounted how she was attacked while reporting at Kazo Angola polling station.
“I was talking to people who had not voted when UPDF soldiers arrived in two patrol vehicles and started arresting some people. When they saw my camera, they attacked me, beating me with sticks and damaging my camera. I ran into a nearby building, removed my press jacket and scarf, and hid in a toilet for safety,” she narrated.
In the aftermath, several journalists were evacuated to NTV Uganda’s offices at Serena Hotel for their safety. However, three NMG journalists, Abubaker Lubowa, Raymond Tamale, and Dennis Kabugo, remain missing after being violently arrested.
NBS TV journalists Francis Isaano and Hakim Wampamba were also detained by security personnel.
The escalating attacks have drawn widespread condemnation, prompting Nation Media Group (NMG) to withdraw its journalists from the by-election coverage to ensure their safety.
Daniel Kalinaki, a senior editor at NMG, stated: “We have taken the difficult decision to temporarily withdraw our journalists from covering the Kawempe North by-election because they are being targeted and attacked by armed soldiers and undercover security operatives.”
Widespread Condemnation
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) strongly condemned the violence against journalists, warning that such attacks threaten press freedom and democracy in Uganda.
A statement from NAB read: “Journalists must be allowed to perform their duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, or physical harm. The escalating violence against media personnel must be addressed immediately, and the perpetrators held accountable.”
The violence in Kawempe adds to a pattern of election-related brutality in Uganda. Opposition leader Bobi Wine decried the attacks, accusing security forces of suppressing democracy.
“Earlier, our team found regime thugs ticking ballot papers in a house in Nammere. When journalists tried to cover this, security forces beat them up, confiscated cameras, and even fired bullets to scare away residents,” Bobi Wine tweeted.
Several journalists, including Ibrah Miracle from Top TV, Steven Kibwiika from Spark TV, and Thomas Kitimbo, have also faced violence while covering electoral events, raising growing concerns about press freedom in Uganda.
NAB has called upon authorities to hold security officers accountable for the brutality. The organization emphasised the need for urgent electoral reforms to prevent continued state repression during elections.
