The Kawempe North by-election has turned chaotic, with several journalists facing violence and arrests while covering the process.
Heavy security deployment, including Uganda Police, UPDF, and anti-terrorism units, has created a tense environment, with mysterious drones hovering over polling stations.
Reports indicate that several media personnel, including photographers, cameramen, and reporters, have been assaulted, while others have allegedly been whisked away in numberless drones to unknown locations. Disturbing images circulating online show NBS Television journalist Francis Isaano in severe pain, reportedly with a fractured bone after a brutal beating by masked security operatives.
Among those missing are Nation Media journalists Abubaker Lubowa, Dennis Kabugo, and Raymond Tamale, GalaxyFm reporter Ssebamala who are believed to have been arrested. Others, including NBS Television’s Hakim Wampamba, were also reportedly arrested under unclear circumstances.
Galaxy FM reporter Steven Washington described the situation as increasingly restrictive, stating that security personnel have been blocking access to polling stations, demanding identification, and inspecting journalists’ equipment before allowing coverage.
He noted that armed operatives, many masked, have been patrolling the streets, making movement difficult.
Minah Nalule, another Galaxy FM reporter stationed at the Mbogo Kisaawe polling station, confirmed that security had intensified since morning after reports of a youth group allegedly planning to disrupt voting.
She witnessed a journalist from Salt FM being beaten by a masked UPDF officer after filming security operations. Despite being warned, the journalist continued recording and was struck with a soldier’s helmet, sustaining a head injury that caused heavy bleeding. Fellow journalists rushed him to a nearby clinic for treatment.
So far, both the police and the army have not issued an official statement regarding the violence and arrests.
On Wednesday, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) strongly condemned the increasing assaults on journalists, calling on authorities to hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard media freedoms.
