Two Ugandan media outlets were raided on the same day, while several journalists were arrested and computers and equipment seized.
This statement was originally published on hrnjuganda.org on 11 March 2022.
On 10th March 2022, security officers attached to Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) raided the Alternative DIGITALK TV, an online television station, and arrested nine (9) of its staff.
Sources have told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that studio equipment, such as cameras and computers, were taken, as well as the station’s mobile van.
The nine arrested staff include Executive Director Tumuhimbise Norman, Mukose Arnold (Programs Director), Faridah Bikobere (TV Host), Jeremiah Mukiibi (Producer), Tumusiime Kato (Production), Tulyahabwe Roger (Production), Nabukeera Teddy Teangle (Presenter), Lillian Luwedde (presenter) and Wabyona Jeje Jacob (Media intern student from Uganda Christian University)
The reason for their arrest is not yet known. HRNJ-Uganda spoke to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) Spokesperson Charles Twiine who denied any knowledge of the raid and arrest of the DIGITALK TV staff. The army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye also denied being aware of the arrest, “I am not aware of such a thing. Is there any controversial programme they did recently?” Kulayigye asked HRNJ-Uganda during an interview. The whereabouts of all the nine staff remain unknown after a long day of a search by the HRNJ-Uganda team.
Meanwhile, on the same day, twelve (12) plain-clothed men presumed to be security operatives raided Vision Group Offices in Kampala for about three hours. It is alleged that the security operatives wanted to arrest Lawrence Kitatta, a Bukedde journalist, for unknown reasons.
During an interface with the HRNJ-Uganda team Friday morning, Kitatta explained that he is in fear for his life since he does not know the motive of the said security personnel.
He revealed that his trouble started when he went to cover a protest staged by torture victims at the Deputy Speaker’s (Anita Among) residence in Kololo on 21st February 2022, where he was assaulted by security officers and his camera and laptop were destroyed in the process. He noted that ever since he covered the protest, he has been receiving threats from unknown people.
He opened up a case of threatening violence at Jinja Road Police Station vide GEF 14/2022 on 3rd March 2022.
“We condemn the act of security operatives raiding the DIGITALK offices and subsequently arresting all the staff at the premises and detaining them incommunicado. The security should make public their whereabouts and produce them in court as soon as possible so that justice prevails. We also urge the Uganda Police Force to expeditiously investigate Kitatta’s case of threatening violence to bring the perpetrators to book,” said the HRNJ-Uganda Executive Director, Robert Ssempala.
