You’re lucky that the internet is still on - MP Kabanda
A confidante of Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Kabanda, who is also secretary-general of the Patriotic League of Uganda, defended the military’s actions during the violent clashes, particularly those targeting journalists.
Kassambya County MP Daudi Kabanda has expressed controversial views over the mayhem during the Kawempe North by-election, stating that Ugandans and journalists should be grateful the internet is still functioning.
A confidante of Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Kabanda, who is also secretary-general of the Patriotic League of Uganda, defended the military’s actions during the violent clashes, particularly those targeting journalists.
"The State cannot be the enemy of journalism yet it licenses the media houses that employ the journalists," Kabanda said in a post on X, a social media platform.
"You’re lucky that the internet is still on."
Kabanda’s comments followed a call by NBS Television’s Simon Kaggwa Njala, urging journalists to pull out from the chaos.
"Dear colleagues in the media, we can hang in there no more," Njala posted. "We already have the story. Any further coverage would worsen things. These are the dark days of journalism. The state is number one enemy of journalism. Unfortunately, we are on our own."
Several media houses withdrew from covering the by-election on Thursday after security forces, primarily military, singled out journalists for beatings and arrests.
Among the most severely affected was NBS Television photographer Francis Isano, whose leg was badly injured.
Cameraman Hassan Wasswa was also viciously attacked and arrested during the unrest.
Nation Media Group reported that its photographer Abubaker Lubowa, reporter Raymond Tamale, and videographer Dennis Kabugo were abducted by security forces during the fracas.
Several outlets also reported that their equipment had been confiscated or deliberately damaged.
The chaotic events at the by-election have raised significant concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Uganda, with media houses now questioning their safety while covering politically sensitive stories.
