Kampala:
The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) has issued a strong condemnation of the brutal attacks on journalists covering the Kawempe North by-election, demanding immediate accountability and an end to the impunity of security operatives.
The by-election, held to replace the late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, was marred by violence, with journalists facing targeted assaults by security personnel. Hasifah Nanvuma and David Ijjo were assaulted while on duty, while Raymond Tamale, Abu Lubowa, and Denis Kabugo were not only beaten but also arrested and released four hours later with visible wounds. Several other journalists from various media houses were also beaten and had their equipment confiscated.
These attacks bring the total number of journalists assaulted during the by-election to seven. On March 12, [Year], Steven Kibwika, a journalist from NMG, was beaten by security operatives while investigating allegations of ballot pre-ticking at a house in Nameere, Kawempe North.
ACME Executive Director Dr. George Lugalambi decried the attacks, warning that such actions threaten democracy and press freedom. “The unrestrained conduct of security agents is a blatant attack on independent journalism, endangers legitimate civic participation in legal political activities, and undermines access to information that is vital for voters to exercise their constitutional rights. These actions amount to the criminalization of journalism and must be condemned,” he stated.
Dr. Lugalambi also expressed concern over the deliberate destruction of evidence by security operatives. Kibwika’s camera was confiscated, Miracle was forced to delete footage of the attack he had recorded, Nanvuma’s camera was damaged, and several NBS TV cameras were reportedly seized. He highlighted that in many cases, the operatives responsible for the violence were wearing masks, making identification difficult.
Despite previous calls for security officers to be easily identifiable while on duty, these attacks suggest a disturbing pattern of impunity. Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of Security, recently emphasized in Parliament that all security personnel must be identifiable, yet masked operatives continue to carry out assaults without repercussions.
ACME expressed deep concern that the violence witnessed during the Kawempe North by-election could set a dangerous precedent as Uganda moves toward the 2026 general elections. “The impunity displayed in these by-elections might be perceived by citizens as a forecast of what to expect in 2026,” Dr. Lugalambi warned.
ACME called on security agencies to adhere to their mandate of maintaining law and order while ensuring the safety of all individuals, including journalists. “We urge all security agencies to strictly adhere to their mandate of maintaining law and order and guaranteeing the safety of all individuals involved in constitutionally-protected political and civic activities. This includes ensuring that security officers deployed in the field follow approved standard operating procedures and are accountable, and that they proactively safeguard journalists from attacks by anybody while carrying out their professional news-gathering duties,” Dr. Lugalambi urged.
As pressure mounts for accountability, media rights organizations continue to push for the protection of journalists and the preservation of press freedom.
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