In a harrowing encounter late Wednesday night, investigative journalist Geofrey was reportedly seized and handcuffed outside his home in Nsambya during what witnesses describe as an unlawful operation involving ununiformed men, police officers, and local election constables.
Geofrey, who works long hours covering local politics, recounted standing at his home gate shortly after midnight when he was suddenly confronted by a group of masked men wielding sticks.
He later realized they were operating alongside uniformed officers and the area OC for Kevina Road.
According to Geofrey, the group made no attempt to identify themselves or explain their actions. “I showed them my press ID and explained I was coming from work, but my pleas were met with mockery and aggression,” he said.
One of the ununiformed men reportedly called for handcuffs, joking about Geofrey’s insistence on identification.
With only one pair of handcuffs available, Geofrey was forced to share them with another man, labeled by the group as “stubborn and audacious.”
Despite repeated attempts to engage with the supervising officer, Geofrey said the OC stood by silently as arrests continued indiscriminately in the area.
Displaying quick thinking, Geofrey managed to drag the other handcuffed individual to his house, locking themselves inside as the group continued to search nearby homes and violently kick doors.
“They were prepared to use pepper spray and tear gas,” Geofrey said, recounting the tense standoff.
He eventually called Afande Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Deputy Metropolitan spokesperson, who intervened by contacting the Regional Police Commander (RPC).
Within minutes, a new team arrived to remove the handcuffs, allowing Geofrey and the other detained individual to exit safely.
Geofrey is urging fellow journalists to exercise extreme caution during the ongoing election period.
“Overzealous officers are operating with impunity, and the law is being broken by those meant to enforce it,” he said.
