Ugandan military arrests NMG journalists, MPs in by-election drama

Two opposition Members of Parliament and journalists are among several people who have been arrested in Kampala, Uganda, in unclear circumstances amid an ongoing by-election.

The Kawempe North mini polls held Thursday have seen heavy military deployment and brutality from security operatives.

State operatives arrested several journalists including Abubaker Lubowa, Raymond Tamale, Denis Kabugo, Francis Isano and Hakim Wampamba who, by the time of filing this story, were detained in a Toyota Hiace vehicle notoriously referred to as the drone. 

The MPs arrested are Geofrey Kayemba Ssolo (Bukomansimbi South) and Hillary Kiyaga (Mawokota North), both members of the leading opposition political party National Unity Platform (NUP). They were arrested at a local polling station and whisked away by security operatives.

Security operatives beat up journalists who were covering the arrest, broke some cameras and confiscated others. 

A local journalist who witnessed the arrests said: "They put us on gunpoint and ordered us not to record anything."

Several other journalists were forced to flee from some polling stations for safety.

"I was talking to people who had not voted when UPDF soldiers arrived in two patrol vehicles and started arresting some people. When some of the security operatives saw the camera, they came and attacked me, beating me with sticks and even damaging my camera," NMG Uganda journalist Hasifah Nanvuma said.

"I ran into a nearby building but since they had already identified me, I removed my press jacket and scarf and ran into a toilet for safety."

The development comes just hours after the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) condemned what it described as escalating security violence against journalists.

"The National Association of Broadcasters strongly condemns the escalating violence and assaults meted against our journalists by security forces. These attacks observed over the past few months threaten press freedom and undermine the democratic principles upon which our nation is built. Journalists must be allowed to perform their duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, or physical harm," the association said in a statement. 

Since February 26, which marked the start of the nomination of candidates for the seat that fell vacant following the death of then MP Muhammad Ssegirinya in January this year, at least three journalists have been targeted and brutalised by security operatives.  They include: Miracle Ibrah of Top TV; Steven Kibwiika, a cameraman with Spark TV and Stephen Mbidde of NTV.

The March 13 voting was delayed to start at some polling stations due to malfunction of voter verification machines and late arrival of voters.