The Independent Online Journalists Association (INDOJA-U) has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing violent attacks against journalists reporting on the Kawempe by-election, describing them as deliberate attempts to suppress press freedom and intimidate media practitioners.
In the latest incident, a journalist from Spark TV, a subsidiary of Nation Media Group, was brutally assaulted on Wednesday by security personnel and individuals linked to the electoral process. The attack occurred while the journalist was covering a reported incident at a house in Namere, Kawempe, where ballot papers were allegedly being pre-ticked. This assault follows another violent incident just days earlier, in which a Top TV journalist was beaten so severely that they nearly lost an eye.
In a press statement released on March 12, INDOJA-U President Andrew Irumba Katusabe emphasized that these attacks are not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern targeting journalists. “These repeated and targeted assaults against media practitioners are not mistakes; they are clear attempts to intimidate journalists and suppress press freedom,” he said. “Journalism is not a crime, and any attempts to silence the press through violence will not be tolerated.”
The association called out security operatives, reminding them that their duty is to uphold law and order, not to “harass, intimidate, or brutalize journalists” who are fulfilling their role of informing the public. INDOJA-U warned that it would not stand idly by as constitutional rights are eroded and announced plans for an upcoming press briefing to rally journalists in defense of press freedom.
“We will not stand on the fence as our constitutional rights and freedoms are stripped away,” Katusabe stated. “The media plays a crucial role in upholding democracy, and any attempts to stifle this role will be met with strong resistance.”
INDOJA-U has issued a series of demands in response to the escalating violence:
- To the Uganda Police Force and security agencies: Investigate the attacks and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
- To the Electoral Commission: Guarantee a free and fair electoral process where journalists can work without fear of reprisal.
- To the government and human rights organizations: Take immediate steps to protect journalists from further violence.
The association expressed solidarity with the affected journalists and vowed to continue advocating for a free and independent press in Uganda. “We stand with our colleagues who have been targeted, and we will not relent in our fight,” Katusabe added.
The Kawempe by-election has been marred by controversy, with allegations of electoral malpractice adding to tensions in the area. The targeting of journalists has raised alarm bells about the state of press freedom in the country, particularly during politically charged even.
INDOJA-U members include Whisper Eye , Spy Uganda , Capital Times among other leading online news papers.
