KWEEN. Police are in the spot light for beating up and injuring a journalist covering opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine.
This was during a disrupted campaign stop in Kween District on Monday
Ivan Mbadi, a reporter with the Buganda Kingdom-owned BBS Terefayina (TV), was assaulted as police dispersed supporters shortly after Bobi Wine arrived at Cheminy Village following a series of roadside stopovers.
Witnesses said police fired teargas canisters to break up the gathering, during which Mbadi was singled out, ransacked and beaten.
Videos captured from the scene show two uniformed men believed to be Counter Terrorism officers as they restrained him and repeatedly smashed his head against a parked van .
Mbadi was later rushed to hospital for first aid. Several other journalists were reportedly affected by teargas during the operation.
When contacted Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said he was still establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident and would take action once facts were verified.
“We know that there have been situations on the trail of Kyagulanyi today including what you are telling me about. I am finding facts then see what to do but this is regrettable,” Kituuma told this publication by phone on Monday evening .
Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), said police had blocked him from holding scheduled rallies, forcing him to campaign through brief roadside engagements.
“I have been blocked in all my rallies and that is why I have held most of them on the roadside,” he said.
In a post on his X on Monday evening Bobi Wine strongly condemned the brutality meted out on journalists .
“ The criminals attacking @bbstvug journalist ,Ivan Mbadi whose crime was doing his work as a journalist covering brutality on our trail. They fear the camera because they know they’re committing crimes against humanity ! Journalism is not a crime ,” he said
Security agencies have repeatedly clashed with Bobi Wine’s campaign team and supporters during the election period, citing violations of campaign guidelines, allegations the opposition has rejected.
Uganda is due to hold presidential elections on January 15, 2026, with Bobi Wine challenging long-time leader Yoweri Museveni, 82 who has been in power since 1986.