The forthcoming Kawempe North by-election on March 13, 2025, has been marred by a series of violent attacks on journalists covering the campaign period. The violence has elicited widespread outcry, with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, being the first to denounce the acts of violence. Tayebwa has exhibited great concern for the impact of such violence on press freedom as well as the reputation of the government, and he has insisted that quick actions be taken to address the matter. At a recent parliament session, Tayebwa objected to the use of unprovoked attacks against journalists by security personnel.

He queried why such actions are employed, reasoning that they sully the reputation of the government rather than protect it. “Who provoked such people to attack journalists? I think such people oppose the state. Like the journalist beaten on the eye. The one who did that does not love his government. They are tarnishing the image of the government,” he said. His statements indicate heightened tension over the by-election and calls for responsibility. The assaults on journalists have been widespread and alarming. On February 26, 2025, Top TV journalist Ibrahim Miracle was brutally attacked by security officials while covering the nomination of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi.

The attack left Miracle with a serious facial and eye injury requiring hospitalization in critical condition. Another journalist, Mbidde from NTV, also suffered brutality at the hands of security officials during campaign time, although details of his injuries are not disclosed. These attacks have drawn stiff criticism from civil society organizations and the public, raising serious questions about the security of journalists and press freedom in Uganda. In response to the attacks, Minister of Trade and Industry David Bahati expressed his condolences and apologies to the victims and their families. “We sent our sympathies and apologies for what happened to the journalist.”.

Yesterday, I was meeting with family members and also the Wakiso MP, and from here I will follow them up in the name of government,” he stated. Bahati’s gesture of goodwill, though well intentioned, has come nowhere close to stemming the growing anger at the persistent assault on the media. Kalungu MP Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu also weighed in on the issue, condemning the security officers implicated in the attacks. He wanted to know why the journalists were targeted and how such behavior soils the role of the media in democratic society.

Ssewungu also questioned the intent of security officers who wear masks while on operations, citing that it drives public trust from law enforcement agencies. The Kawempe North parliamentary constituency was left vacant following the death of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9, 2025. Constitutional requirement had the Electoral Commission set the by-election date as March 13, nominations set for February 26-27, and campaigning between February 28 and March 11. However, the campaign process has not at all been smooth. In addition to the violent acts committed against journalists, there have also been reported conflicts between supporters of various candidates that have further intensified the electoral process.

These have made calls for increased vigilance and respect for the rule of law to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process. Other stakeholders like the political leaders and the civil society organizations have called on the security forces to be neutral and protect all the stakeholders in the electoral process. The attacks on the journalists cast a shadow not only on the by-election but also on the state of democracy and governance in Uganda. Media is a vital part of any democratic society, in which the work of journalists is that of guardians of those in power and whose work is to provide accurate information to the public.

Where journalists are gagged and intimidated, it raises questions about the presence of democracy. The acts of violence perpetrated against the media reporting on the Kawempe North by-election send a chilling reminder of what befalls journalists and press freedom in Uganda and the necessity for change towards better security for press freedom. Deputy Speaker Tayebwa’s condemnation of the attacks underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action. His call for accountability resonates with many who believe that the government must take decisive steps to address the issue and prevent further violence. As the by-election approaches, it is imperative that all stakeholders, including the government, security forces, and political parties, work together to ensure the safety of journalists and uphold democratic principles.

The international community also intervened in the matter, with human rights organizations and press freedom advocates calling for an independent investigation into the attacks. They have demanded that the government of Uganda take concrete action to protect journalists and hold perpetrators of the violence accountable. The success or failure of these initiatives will have far-reaching consequences for democracy and press freedom in Uganda. At the same time, journalists covering the Kawempe North by-election are still in jeopardy. There are a lot of them who are fearful and distraught, asking themselves if they can continue with their work freely without fear of assault.

Despite all this, they are unstoppable and committed to revealing the public to the information necessary to make proper decisions. As the by-election draws near, the focus has to be maintained on the conduct of a peaceful and transparent election. The assault on journalists is a grim reminder of the hurdles that have to be crossed in order to attain this goal. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the safety of the rights of journalists and the values of democracy.

It is only then that the people of Kawempe North, and Uganda as a whole, can have faith in the electoral process and the future of their nation. Attacks on journalists are not just attacks on individuals, but attacks on democracy itself. The government needs to act swiftly to do something about this and make it evident that such behaviour will not be accepted. The world is monitoring events, and the reaction over the next week or so will determine whether Uganda is committed to upholding the values of a free press and democratic governance.