KAMPALA, UGANDA | As the Kawempe North by-election unfolds, reports of attacks on journalists by security forces have overshadowed the electoral process. Media personnel covering the by-election have faced violence, equipment confiscation, and intimidation, raising questions about the conduct of security agencies during the polls.
NBS TV’s Canary Mugume reported that security officers specifically targeted journalists carrying cameras, physically attacking them and forcefully taking away their equipment. “Journalists are being beaten wherever they are spotted filming,” Mugume stated. “It is shocking to see such actions in an election that was supposed to be free and fair.”
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over press safety, following the brutal assault of Spark TV journalist Steven Kibwiika a day earlier. Kibwiika, who was covering reports of alleged ballot paper pre-marking, was beaten by armed individuals believed to be security operatives. He was later hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the attack.
The Electoral Commission had previously assured journalists of a peaceful election environment, but the events in Kawempe tell a different story. Rights organizations have condemned the violence, calling for accountability and protection for journalists covering the electoral process.
With journalists facing escalating threats, press freedom remains a critical concern in Uganda’s electoral landscape.