At least 18 journalists were violently assaulted by Ugandan armed forces while covering a by-election in Kawempe North, a district of the capital, Kampala, on March 13, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for a full investigation into the “unacceptable” use of force against media personnel.
The journalists, who were clearly identified as press members, were reportedly “severely beaten” by soldiers and members of an anti-terrorist agency. Abubaker Lubowa, a photojournalist for the Daily Monitor, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the soldiers forced them to remove their shirts to cover their eyes, lie down, and were then beaten with sticks and gun butts. Some journalists also reported having their equipment confiscated and destroyed, while others were held incommunicado for hours in an army van.
Raymond Tamale of NTV Uganda described being forced to lie down in a sweltering van with covered windows, pretending to sleep and snore while being beaten at intervals. “They forced us to count to 15 and hit us at each number,” he said, highlighting the brutality of the ordeal.
RSF’s Sub-Saharan Africa director, Sadibou Marong, condemned the “extreme violence” exhibited by the forces of law and order, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable in a democratic society. With Uganda set to hold a presidential election in 2026, RSF stressed the importance of ensuring journalists can work safely and without fear of reprisal.
Uganda ranks 128th out of 180 countries in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index, reflecting the challenging environment for journalists, who often face physical violence, legal constraints, and restricted freedoms. The incident occurred during a by-election in which President Yoweri Museveni’s party lost to the opposition party of Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
While Museveni and the army have pledged to investigate the conduct of the vote, army spokesman Chris Magezi attributed the violence to a “misunderstanding and miscoordination,” suggesting that journalists may have been mistaken for violent supporters. However, this explanation has done little to quell outrage over the blatant attack on press freedom.
The incident underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform to protect journalists and uphold democratic principles in Uganda.
