By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has condemned what it describes as intimidation and harassment of journalist David Mwesigwa by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, UJA accused the two senior government officials of branding Mwesigwa a “liar” and calling for his arrest after he raised concerns over the state of public health facilities in Mukono and Kayunga districts.
Mwesigwa, a journalist with Galaxy TV and Radio, had questioned President Yoweri Museveni about alleged poor service delivery during a post-nomination press conference earlier this month. This was not the first time Mwesigwa had raised the issue, having previously flagged the matter in June during a President media engagement with the journalists from Kampala at State House Lodge Nakaseero.
The association says instead of addressing the reported shortages, absenteeism of staff, and failing facilities, both Nabbanja and Dr Atwine “turned hostile against the whistleblower,” undermining his credibility.
“We feel that what the Rt. Hon. Nabbanja and Dr Atwine did was an attack on journalist Mwesigwa, who was performing his watchdog role, and thus an attack on all journalists,” said UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda.
UJA also alleged that attempts were made to stage-manage visits to hospitals ahead of the prime minister’s inspection, including briefing patients on what to say to the media. While Nabbanja reportedly conceded during a visit to Mukono health facility that urgent intervention was needed, she later dismissed Mwesigwa’s claims of oxygen shortages at Kayunga hospital and directed police to arrest him.
The journalists’ body says Mwesigwa was blocked by security from accompanying the prime minister’s convoy to Kayunga, contrary to claims that he had avoided the visit.
UJA has vowed to stand in solidarity with Mwesigwa, pledging that members will escort him in a procession when he reports to police as directed by the prime minister. The association has also engaged its legal team to safeguard his constitutional rights.
Neither the prime minister’s office nor the Ministry of Health has responded publicly to these claims.
