Media houses withdraw journalists covering Kawempe North by-election over attacks by security
A section of media houses have temporarily pulled their journalists from covering the ongoing Kawempe North by-election due to escalating safety concerns.
Nation Media Group, Radio Simba and BBS Terefayina announced they have withdrawn their journalists.
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The decision comes after reports of targeted attacks on journalists by armed soldiers and undercover security operatives during the election coverage.
Nation Media Group, which owns the Daily Monitor, KFM ,Spark and NTV Uganda, issued a statement expressing concern for the safety of its staff on the ground.
Daniel Kalinaki, the General Manager editorial at Nation Media Group Uganda, explained that the withdrawal was a necessary step to protect the journalists amid rising threats.
“Our reporters have faced physical threats and harassment, including being targeted by security forces,” Kalinaki said.
The Kawempe North by-election has been marred by a heavy security presence and allegations of voter intimidation, heightening concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists covering politically sensitive events in the country.
Radio Simba also confirmed the withdrawal of its journalists from the by-election coverage.
The station said that its reporters had been physically assaulted by security personnel while covering polling stations.
“We cannot continue to put our journalists at risk,” the spokesperson stated. “The safety of our staff is our top priority, and we have decided to temporarily withdraw them from the coverage of the by-election until the security situation improves.”
Four journalists have reportedly been assaulted and arrested by security forces.
The journalists Isano Francis of NBS TV, Raymond Tamale of NTV, Dennis Kabugo, and Abubaker Lubowa of Daily Monitor were detained by security operatives while reporting in the area.
Sources confirmed that the journalists were forcibly taken away in a drone vehicle, raising concerns over the mode of transport and the nature of the assaults.
Three other journalists David Ijjo of NTV, Hassan Wasswa of NBS TV, and Hakim Wampamba of NBS TV – narrowly escaped the ordeal.
Eyewitnesses suggest that the journalists were specifically targeted by security forces while covering various polling stations across the constituency.
The full details of the assaults remain unclear, but reports indicate that the journalists were subjected to physical abuse before being detained.
Canary Mugume, a senior reporter for NBS TV, voiced concern over the escalating security presence.
“UPDF soldiers carrying guns are patrolling the streets in both official vehicles and drones with their number plates removed,” Mugume said, adding that the targeting of journalists was highly suspicious.
The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), and media watchdogs have condemned the attacks, calling for accountability and stronger protections for the press.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has pledged to investigate the allegations of media suppression.
As the government has yet to comment on the growing concerns, media rights groups warn that continued repression could undermine public trust in the electoral process.
The safety of journalists remains a pressing issue, with calls for greater protection of press freedom in Uganda’s volatile political climate.
