Kawempe polls: ACME condemns attack on journalists
Some of the Nation Media Group staff at the NTV-Uganda offices in Kampala yesterday after they were recalled from the field where they were covering the Kawempe North by-elections following attacks on the media by security personnel. PHOTO | STEPHEN OTAGE
What you need to know:
- The by-election, held yesterday to replace the late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, was marred by violence, with journalists targeted by security personnel
The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) has strongly condemned 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 on March 13, 2025 to replace the late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, was marred by violence, with journalists targeted by security personnel.
Hasifah Nanvuma and David Ijjo were assaulted on duty, while Raymond Tamale, Abu Lubowa, and Denis Kabugo were beaten, arrested, and released four hours later with visible injuries. Several other journalists from various media houses were also assaulted and had their equipment confiscated.
These incidents bring the total number of journalists attacked during the by-election to seven. On March 12, Mr Steven Kibwika, a journalist from Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-U), was beaten by security operatives while investigating allegations of ballot pre-ticking at a house in Nameere, Kawempe North on Wednesday.
The executive director of ACME, Dr George Lugalambi, said the attacks 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,” he said, adding,
“These actions amount to the criminalisation of journalism and must be condemned."
Dr Lugalambi expressed concern over the deliberate destruction of evidence by security operatives. Mr Kibwika’s camera was confiscated, Ibrahim Miracle was forced to delete recorded footage, Ms Nanvuma’s camera was damaged, and several NBS TV cameras were reportedly seized.
He noted that many operatives responsible for the violence were wearing masks, hindering identification.
Despite previous calls for security officers to be identifiable on duty, these attacks suggest a disturbing pattern of impunity. While Gen David Muhoozi, the State minister for Internal Affairs, recently emphasised in Parliament that all security personnel must be identifiable, masked operatives continue to assault journalists without consequence.
ACME expressed deep concern that the violence in Kawempe North could set a dangerous precedent for the 2026 General Election.
"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,” he said.
“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 added.
