By Eumu Emmanuel
Major media houses have announced the withdrawal of their journalists from covering the ongoing Kawempe North parliamentary by-election following a wave of violent attacks by security operatives, including the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), against members of the press and election observers and agents of the candidates.
The decision comes after multiple incidents of physical assaults, harassment, and the confiscation and destruction of cameras and other equipment belonging to journalists who were reporting from polling stations in Kawempe North on Thursday.
Several journalists, including Abubaker Lubowa, Raymond Tamale, Denis Kabugo, Francis Isano, and Hakim Wampamba, were violently arrested by security personnel and bundled into a Toyota Hiace van, commonly referred to as a “drone.” Witnesses say the journalists were beaten and their cameras damaged and seized while covering the arrest of two opposition Members of Parliament—Geoffrey Kayemba Ssolo and Hillary Kiyaga, both affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP).
“They put us at gunpoint and ordered us not to record anything,” said one journalist who narrowly escaped arrest.
Others reported hiding in nearby buildings, removing their press identification to avoid being singled out for violence.
The heavy deployment of mambas, drones, and plain-clothed operatives further intensified the atmosphere of fear and intimidation at polling sites, particularly in Kazo Angola, where much of the violence has been concentrated.
Several media outlets, including leading television stations and news agencies; Nation Media and Next Media have since withdrawn their teams from the field in protest and as a measure to protect their staff.
“We cannot continue to expose our journalists to this level of danger,” said one newsroom editor who requested anonymity. “We have withdrawn, they [UPDF] can now freely do all their dirty things since our crime was ‘exposing’ them.”
Since February 26, when the nomination process for the by-election officially began, at least three journalists were brutalized by security operatives, including Miracle Ibrah (Top TV), Steven Kibwiika (Spark TV), and Stephen Mbidde (NTV). Human rights groups and media freedom organizations have decried the repeated targeting of journalists during election-related activities.
With the March 13 vote now under a cloud of controversy, questions are being raised about the integrity of the electoral process and the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental freedoms.
A total of 10 candidates are contesting for the parliamentary seat, representing various political parties and independent interests.
The candidates include:
Edward Stanley Engena – Independent
Henry Hasaka Mubiru – Democratic Party (DP)
Muhammad Luwemba Luswa – Independent
Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola – National Unity Platform (NUP)
Sadat Mukiibi Aganaga – Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
Hanifah Karadi – Independent
Ismael Musitwa – People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
Muhammad Mutazindwa – Independent
Faridah Nambi Kigongo – National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Moses Nsereko – Independent