Kampala, March 20, 2025 — Fifteen journalists who were violently assaulted by security operatives during the Kawempe North by-elections on March 13 have petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), demanding justice and accountability.
Still nursing visible injuries, the journalists filed their petition at the UHRC offices in Kampala, calling for action against those responsible for the attacks. Among them was Isano Francis, a photojournalist with NBS TV, who remains on crutches due to his injuries.
“When I went to work that Thursday, I was fine. Now, I’m like this. I want accountability—these people must be held responsible and explain why they brutalized us,” Francis stated after recording his statement.
Reports indicate that more than 18 journalists were targeted during the by-election campaigns, their recording equipment confiscated and vandalized in what was widely seen as an attempt to suppress media coverage. Witnesses say security operatives used batons and electric wires to beat the journalists, with some being arrested and detained in unmarked vehicles, commonly referred to as drones.
Thomas Kitimbo (NBS TV) and Moses Waiswa (Busoga One FM) echoed the calls for justice. “We expect the Commission to act. Those who were beaten should be compensated, and lost equipment should be replaced,” Kitimbo emphasized.
UHRC spokesperson Alex Bukumunye confirmed receipt of the petition, noting that the Commission had launched an investigation. “Today, we received journalists from different media houses reporting violations of their rights during the Kawempe North by-elections. The Commission will conduct a thorough investigation before issuing a final report,” he said.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Executive Director Robert Ssempala strongly condemned the attacks, calling on the UHRC to expedite the probe. “Such blatant violations of press freedom have no place in a democracy. Uganda must show its commitment to protecting journalists,” he stated.
Ssempala warned that continued attacks on the media pose a serious threat to democracy. “The UHRC must take bold steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and forced to personally compensate their victims,” he added.
As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections, concerns remain about how journalists will safely and effectively cover the electoral process in the face of such violence and intimidation.
