Five Days in Custody: UJA Calls for Immediate Release of Journalist Asiteza

KAMPALA – The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has protested the continued detention of journalist Remy Asiteza, calling for his immediate and unconditional release and raising concerns over what it describes as possible intimidation and interference with press freedom.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, UJA said Asiteza, who works with the online news website Daily Express, has been in police custody at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) for five days following his arrest on August 11.

According to UJA, Asiteza was allegedly arrested in a joint operation involving security operatives attached to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU).

The association said Asiteza was arrested together with fellow journalist Hannington Mbabazi, who was reportedly picked up from Bweyogerere-Kirinnya and detained at the SHACU offices before being released later without a charge being preferred against him.

UJA said police records identify Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda and her Personal Assistant, Juma Masuumi, as complainants, although the association said the official charge against Asiteza remained unclear at the time of issuing the statement.

The journalists’ body linked the detention to an article published by Asiteza earlier in August concerning alleged corruption in the recruitment process for Assistant Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and RDCs.

The article, according to UJA, indicated that the recruitment process was being investigated following a presidential directive. The association said this could be connected to Asiteza’s detention, although it did not present this as an established fact.

UJA raises constitutional concerns

UJA said it became aware of Asiteza’s detention on the evening of August 17 and attempted to intervene through its Secretary General to secure his release on police bond, but the effort was unsuccessful.

The association argues that the continued detention raises concerns about the constitutional requirement governing the period a suspect can be held before being brought before court.

UJA cited Article 23(4)(b) of the 1995 Constitution, arguing that a suspect must be produced before court within 48 hours of arrest.

Beyond the issue of detention, the journalists’ association said the case raises broader concerns about the independence of journalism and the possibility of intimidation of journalists in the course of their professional duties.

“UJA therefore demands that journalist Asiteza unconditionally and urgently be released,” the association said, citing his continued detention beyond the period it considers legally permissible.

UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda said the association is also engaging legal teams to help secure Asiteza’s freedom.