Kween — On January 5, BBS TV journalist Ivan Mbadi was violently attacked by security forces while covering a roadside campaign stop of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, in Kween District.
Officers from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce restrained Mbadi and destroyed his camera as police deployed teargas to block rallies ahead of the January 15 presidential election.
Kyagulanyi condemned the assault, tweeting: “The criminals attacking @bbstvug journalist, Ivan Mbadi, whose crime was doing his work as a journalist covering brutality on our trail. They fear the camera because they know they’re committing crimes against humanity! JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME.”
Several other journalists were reportedly pepper-sprayed during the clashes. Canary Mugume, NBS TV journalist, highlighted the attack on Mbadi: “This was not a thief, he is a journalist with BBS TV — Ivan Mbadi. He’s seen being assaulted by security at NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi rally. His camera was destroyed, too.”
Kyagulanyi said security forces also blocked his campaign convoy from proceeding to Bukwo District, claiming the government feared his message of grassroots empowerment and regional development.
He told supporters: “While we were trying to utilise our campaign schedule as intended, the regime police used all their might to disrupt our campaign in Kween District with teargas and thereafter blocked us from proceeding to Bukwo District. They are afraid of our message reaching the grassroots. We are just armed with nothing but the revolutionary truth and regime change gospel.”
The incident has drawn criticism from media rights groups, including the Uganda Journalists Association, who demanded accountability for attacks on journalists and raised concerns over press freedom during the tense election period.
The January 15 election sees Kyagulanyi and six other contenders challenging President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. Journalists covering opposition rallies have frequently faced harassment and obstruction, raising fears of increasing constraints on independent reporting in the run-up to the vote.
