Journalists operating in the Masaka sub-region under the Greater Masaka Journalists Association (Gremaja) have protested the arrest and detention of their colleague, Frank Bwekumbule.
Bwekumbule, a journalist attached to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC TV) and Impact FM, was arrested by Police in Masaka and is currently being held on allegations related to computer misuse.
However, concerns have emerged over the legal basis of the charges, with journalists noting that sections of the Computer Misuse Act under which he is reportedly charged were previously nullified.
According to Bwekumbule, his arrest is linked to a case he had earlier reported to Police after he was attacked by unidentified men riding motorcycles.
The incident occurred last week as he returned home to Kimaanya, a city suburb where he was reportedly beaten and sustained injuries.
“I was from court and passed by the police station to follow up on my case. I went to the District Police Commander’s office. When I reached his office, he said there is a case against me reported by Hon. Nameere,” Bwekumbule said.
He instructed me to record a statement and handed me to the OCCID. After recording the statement, the DPC ordered officers to detain me and I was immediately detained.”
He added that the accusations stem from a video recording involving a woman identified as Cissy, who allegedly accuses Masaka City Woman MP-elect Justine Nameere of taking coffee seedlings worth more than Shs100 million during campaigns without payment.
“I initially gathered the story ,but was advised against publishing it, so I dropped it. Later, the woman called me and requested that if I was not going to run the story, I should give her the footage, which I did,” he explained.
Bwekumbule further claimed he had received threats from various individuals, including the District Police Commander, Maurice Oyee.
He said Oyee warned him during the Kabaka’s Birthday Run in Masaka that criminal charges had been opened against him.
“After that day, two days passed and that is when assailants with face masks beat me and I sustained injuries,” he added.
The arrest prompted journalists to storm Masaka Central Police Station demanding answers.
They confirmed Bwekumbule was in custody and raised concern over restricted access, noting that visitors were required to seek permission from the DPC.
Following engagement with DPC Oyee, journalists were eventually granted access to their colleague.
Oyee confirmed that Bwekumbule is facing charges reportedly linked to complaints involving Nameere ,but urged the media to remain calm.
Despite this, journalists expressed alarm over what they described as increasing political interference in their work.
“This arrest is a clear sign of intimidation aimed at silencing journalists and preventing them from executing their duties professionally. We will not accept this,” some of the journalists said.
The incident has reignited debate over press freedom and the safety of journalists in Greater Masaka sub-region, with renewed calls for authorities to uphold the rule of law and protect media practitioners.