KAMPALA, UGANDA — Ofwono Opondo, the Director of the Uganda Media Centre, has drawn criticism for his social media comments regarding journalists who were subjected to violence by security personnel during the Kawempe North by-election coverage on Thursday.
The incident resulted in severe injuries to Next Media photojournalist Francis Isano, who required hospitalization. His colleagues, including videographer Hassan Wasswa, senior reporter Hakim Wampamba, and at least seven others, also reported assaults.
At Nation Media Uganda, Daily Monitor photojournalist Abu Lubowa, along with NTV’s Raymond Tamale and Dennis Kabugo, returned to their newsroom with injuries following an alleged abduction ordeal.
Despite the severity of these incidents, Opondo, a former journalist now serving as the government’s spokesperson through the Uganda Media Centre, chose to make light of Francis Isano’s injuries on the social media platform X.
“My man Francis Isano, I am told you’re in a small difficulty in the Kawempe area in this by-election, and in hiding. What’s up? May I know your location for possible rescue, if necessary,” Ofwono Opondo posted on X.
While it’s possible Ofwono Opondo may not have been fully informed of the extent of Francis Isano’s injuries, the photojournalist arrived at Kampala Hospital in significant distress, suffering severe trauma to his right leg. Witnesses described Isano as being visibly upset and in tears, clutching his injured shin.
However, the widespread dissemination of information regarding the disturbances in Kawempe, including detailed accounts of the journalists’ plight, makes it difficult to excuse Opondo’s remarks. The incidents were extensively documented and shared across social media platforms.
Furthermore, Opondo’s subsequent comments, which appeared to target the media fraternity as a whole, suggested a dismissive attitude towards the journalists’ experiences, implying they were arrogant.
“Arrogance to a law enforcement officer whose instructions you don’t know isn’t a good thing,” he said in response to a video of NBS TV anchor Canary Mugume being confronted by military men.
“Journalists neither have nor enjoy an automatic right of way.”
The targeted assaults on journalists have garnered widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally. Mounting pressure has compelled the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to issue a statement disavowing the actions of its personnel involved.
Reports indicate that soldiers, armed with batons and metal rods, specifically targeted members of the press, focusing on those displaying press identification.
Colonel Chris Magezi, the acting Defence and Military spokesperson, issued a statement confirming that the army has initiated an internal investigation into the conduct of its soldiers.
“There are reports coming out of Kawempe in the ongoing by-election that several journalists were today assaulted and their equipment confiscated by some members of the security forces who were on patrol in the area to maintain law and order during the electoral exercise,” Magezi said.
“It is not yet clear what happened that led to the clash between journalists and members of the security forces. Whatever it was, the damage and outcome will lead to unnecessary tension between the security services and the fourth estate. This is uncalled for and should be avoided with better coordination in future.”
This marks the first instance in nearly two weeks that the army has publicly condemned the actions of its security forces.
Previously, they had appeared to condone similar assaults against journalists covering the same Kawempe North by-election campaigns.
