Kassambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, a close ally of Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and secretary-general of the Patriotic League of Uganda, has sparked outrage with his controversial remarks following the violent clashes during the Kawempe North by-election.
In a post on X, Kabanda defended the military’s actions, particularly the targeting of journalists, stating,
“The State cannot be the enemy of journalism yet it licenses the media houses that employ the journalists. You’re lucky that the internet is still on.”
Related: Gen Muhoozi Praises JATT Amidst Controversy in Kawempe North
A Dark Day for Press Freedom
Kabanda’s comments came amid widespread condemnation of the military’s brutal treatment of journalists covering the by-election.
NBS Television’s Simon Kaggwa Njala urged journalists to withdraw from the chaos, posting, “Dear colleagues in the media, we can hang in there no more. We already have the story. Any further coverage would worsen things. These are the dark days of journalism. The state is the number one enemy of journalism. Unfortunately, we are on our own.”
Several media houses, including NBS TV and Nation Media Group, pulled out of covering the election after their journalists were assaulted, arrested, and had their equipment confiscated or destroyed.
Victims of the Crackdown
- Francis Isano (NBS TV): Suffered severe leg injuries after being beaten by security forces.
- Hassan Wasswa (NBS TV): Viciously attacked and arrested during the unrest.
- Abubaker Lubowa (Daily Monitor), Raymond Tamale (NTV), and Dennis Kabugo: Abducted by security forces and later released.
The attacks have raised serious concerns about press freedom in Uganda, with media houses questioning their ability to cover politically sensitive stories safely.
Related: Tayebwa Slams Security Agencies Over Torture in Kawempe North By-Election
A Chilling Message to the Media
Kabanda’s remarks have been widely criticized as a thinly veiled threat to journalists and a justification of state-sponsored violence.
His statement that Ugandans should be “grateful the internet is still on” has been interpreted as a warning that further dissent could lead to an internet shutdown.
The incident has drawn attention to the deteriorating state of press freedom in Uganda, with many calling for accountability and an end to the intimidation of journalists.
