More than 20 journalists who were assaulted during the Kawempe North byelection have petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), demanding justice.
The journalists are calling for accountability from security agencies and compensation for their damaged equipment.
The journalists, some of whom are still nursing injuries, say they were deliberately targeted while covering the election.
During the Kawempe North by-election on March 13, security forces unleashed a brutal assault on journalists covering the tense electoral process.
Several reporters were beaten, harassed, and forcefully detained as they attempted to document alleged voter intimidation and irregularities.
Witnesses recounted scenes of officers from the Uganda Police Force and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT) indiscriminately targeting media personnel, confiscating their equipment, and subjecting them to severe physical abuse.
Among the victims was a NBS Television journalist Francis Isano, who sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalised.
The attacks have drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates, who accuse the government of attempting to suppress independent reporting on the controversial by-election.
“We were not caught in the crossfire; we were specifically attacked while doing our job,” said Abubaker Lubowa, Daily Monitor's senior photojournalist leading the petition. “This must stop.”
Moses Waiswa, a journalist from Busoga One Radio, recounted the ordeal: “They beat me, broke my camera, and warned me not to report the incident. How are we supposed to do our jobs under such conditions?”
The journalists are urging the UHRC to summon the leadership of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and JAT to explain the actions of their personnel. They are also demanding disciplinary action against those responsible.
Thomas Kitimbo from NBS TV emphasized the need for justice: “If we let this slide, journalists will continue being attacked with impunity. We need assurances that those responsible will face the law.”
While media brutality has been a recurring issue, many journalists fear speaking out. However, this latest petition is seen as a bold move to push back against growing threats to press freedom.
“Many of our colleagues are afraid to come forward, but we cannot allow fear to silence us,” said Francis Isano of NBS TV. “We must protect journalism before it’s too late.”
The Uganda Human Rights Commission has pledged to address the matter urgently and urged other victims of election-related violence to report their cases.
“We take these allegations very seriously. Attacking journalists is not just an attack on individuals but on press freedom and democracy,” said UHRC spokesperson Alex Bukumunhe.
“We are committed to ensuring justice is served.”
Bukumunhe also emphasized that assaulting journalists violates at least seven fundamental human rights and called for security forces to respect media freedoms.
Despite repeated calls for justice, journalists continue to face violence and harassment. Reports indicate that more than 20 journalists are assaulted annually, with few perpetrators ever being held accountable.
With the UHRC now seized with the matter, journalists and press freedom advocates await decisive action.