By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Security agencies have been warned against torturing and mistreating Ugandans, especially during election periods.
The caution follows a recent incident during the Kawempe North by-election, where Top TV journalist Miracle Ibrah sustained severe injuries to his left eye after he was allegedly assaulted by Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) officers while they were arresting the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Counsel Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, shortly after his nomination on February 26. The injured journalist is currently receiving treatment at Nsambya Hospital, and his condition is reportedly improving.
Speaking on the matter, John Kikonyogo, spokesperson for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), expressed deep concern over the excessive use of force by security personnel,
“We are pleading with security forces to stop torturing Ugandans!” he said.
Kikonyogo argues that even criminals are not subjected to such treatment.
“It is heartbreaking—you beat a young journalist just for doing his job, injuring his eye as if he were a thief. Even our laws do not allow a thief to be beaten like that! Ironically, President Museveni himself has stated that security officers must not abuse their power, yet here we are witnessing an officer brutalizing a journalist in broad daylight.”
Kikonyogo also criticized a proposal by Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, and Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to send journalists, media owners, and editors for mandatory cadre training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) Kyankwanzi under the pretext of promoting patriotism.
“I would rather they left the press to do their works without the contamination of Kyankwanzi,” he said.
Recalling the dangers of misinformation during the era of the infamous Radio Katwe, Kikonyogo warned that forcing journalists to undergo training at Kyankwanzi which is portrayed as NRM ideology could compromise their objectivity and lead to biased reporting.
“I urge our brother Balaam and his colleagues not to push the press into communicating in a more secretive way,” he said.
The incident in Kawempe North has reignited concerns about press freedom and human rights violations in Uganda, with calls for security agencies to exercise restraint and respect constitutional freedoms.
The FDC is now demanding an official apology from the government to journalists for the violent events in Kawempe North.
“We appeal to the government to apologize to the media fraternity for this unacceptable attack,” Kikonyogo added.
