A section of journalists in Uganda have declared a suspension of their coverage on police and military activities after experiencing a wave of violent attacks during the Kawempe North byelection campaigns and voting process.
Numerous journalists experienced aggression, with some being assaulted or detained by military personnel.
Many sustained significant injuries, and several pieces of their equipment were either confiscated or damaged.
Among those who suffered violence were Francis Isano from Next Media, Abubaker Lubowa, Denis Kabugo, and Raymond Tamale, all affiliated with the Nation Media Group’s Daily Monitor, as well as Ibrahim Ruhweza and Isaac Nuwagaba from the state-owned New Vision newspaper under the Vision Group.
Several journalists were reportedly abducted by armed masked soldiers, forced into a tinted minibus, and taken to undisclosed locations.
Many later reappeared, limping and bearing visible injuries, while some of their devices were.
Some of the survivors of the assault reportedly faced pressure from the soldiers to erase the videos and photos they had captured.
The violence faced by journalists in their line of duty has drawn widespread condemnation from the public, as well as various journalists and human rights organizations.
During a joint press conference at Speke Hotel in Kampala, Sam Ibanda Mugabi, president of the Uganda Parliament Press Association (UPPA), announced their decision to boycott all events organized by security forces until a dialogue is established.
“We believe that journalists deserve to work in a safe environment where their rights are upheld. However, the ongoing violations of these rights have become intolerable. Effective immediately, we will not cover any activities involving security agencies, including the Police and the UPDF, until we can discuss journalist safety with their leadership,” he stated.
On his part, Emmanuel Kirunda, the secretary-general of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), characterized the boycott as a crucial lesson for those who enable impunity.
“Our concern is profound, as impunity has reached alarming levels in the country. When impunity prevails, it indicates a collapse of the rule of law. We are declaring that we will no longer tolerate this situation,” Kirunda emphasized.
He warned that this trend of violence could persist as the 2026 general elections approach, calling for urgent measures to prevent further attacks.
Kirunda also insisted on the return of all confiscated equipment and the repair of damaged devices.
Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists, concurred with the two stressing that the boycott is a significant step for the journalism community in Uganda.
“This is a critical moment; we cannot afford to miss this opportunity. It is essential to keep political implications out of this issue, as we are advocating for our rights,” he remarked.
This boycott represents a significant turning point in Uganda’s media environment, underscoring the pressing need for journalist protection and press freedom, particularly during election seasons when tensions tend to escalate.
