Journalists covering the election in Kawempe North by-election today have come under attack from security personnel with some having their equipment confiscated.
NBS TV’s video journalist, Wasswa Hassan, was assaulted by gun-wielding men earlier today in Kazo-Angola, Bwaise, according to his colleague Canary Mugume.
Wasswa told Bbeg Media that he had gone into hiding for fear of his life.
“If you are a journalist, you don’t have to reveal yourself otherwise you will be beaten,” Wasswa said.
Mugume said there was deployment of Mambas and numberless drones in Kawempe North.
“The question is how this deployment will impact the voter turnout,” he said.
For safety reasons, the NBS team, Mugume said, had resorted to reporting from their vehicles.
Hasifa Nanvuma (pictured above) of Spark TV said she was beaten with sticks and her camera was damaged by UPDF soldiers as she interviewed voters.
“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. 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,” she said.
Christopher Ssemakula, a senior reporter with Bbeg Media, who visited several polling stations in Kawempe North said the situation was tense.
Ssemakula said at St Paul Church of Uganda which has six polling stations, security had befeed up more than 100 security officers. He said the heavy presence appeared to have scared some people from voting.
He also said that police helicopters were seen circling the constituency.
