Fresh concerns over press freedom in Uganda have emerged following the continued detention of radio journalist Frank Bwekumbule, a reporter with Impact FM in Masaka, whose arrest has drawn sharp criticism from the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA).
Bwekumbule has been held at Masaka Central Police Station since Tuesday after being taken into custody over a video recording he reportedly made involving a local coffee seedlings supplier, Cissy Nanyange.
In the video, Nanyange allegedly claimed that payments owed to her during a past political campaign had not been fulfilled by a government official and prominent figure in the area.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) described the detention as troubling and indicative of a broader pattern where journalists face intimidation for pursuing stories that touch on accountability.
The association argues that holding a reporter over such matters risks undermining the role of the media in exposing issues of public interest.
The body has called for Bwekumbule’s immediate and unconditional release, or for authorities to promptly present him before a court of law if there is credible evidence of wrongdoing.
As of Thursday, no formal charges had been publicly confirmed.
Press freedom advocates warn that incidents like this highlight the fragile state of media independence in Uganda, where journalists have periodically faced arrests, harassment, and legal pressure while covering politically sensitive stories.
Both local and international watchdog groups have previously raised alarms about shrinking civic space and the increasing use of state institutions to curb critical reporting.
UJA has pledged to continue advocating for Bwekumbule’s release, framing the case as part of a larger struggle to safeguard journalistic rights in the country.
