Ugandan journalist Ssematimba Bwegiire lost consciousness immediately after a security officer electrocuted him with a stun gun and pepper-sprayed him in the mouth. But he did not report the incident, reflecting widespread disillusionment among the media about the authorities’ commitment to press freedom in elections on January 15.
Mr Bwegiire, a reporter with privately owned Radio Simba, was covering a rally by the opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, whose events have consistently been targeted by security forces using teargas and live bullets.
“People later told me they thought I had died,” Mr Bwegiire told CPJ about November’s incident during a joint military-police deployment in western Uganda. “I did not file a police report because previous complaints have never brought justice.”
Uganda has a history of high levels of violence against journalists, particularly during election periods, with dozens of people killed following protests over the 2021 election, which Wine alleged was marred by fraud.
Authorities suspended internet access at 6 p.m.
Continue Reading on Premium Times Nigeria
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.