Dramatic Scenes at Wandegeya Police Station as Police Officers Attack Journalist Steven Mbidde

Tension erupted at Wandegeya Police Station earlier this morning when uniformed officers were caught on camera attacking journalist Steven Mbidde as he attempted to interview National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya.

The chaotic scenes unfolded as Mbidde sought to report on the ongoing detention of several NUP supporters arrested in yesterday’s security raid.

Eyewitnesses say Mbidde was trying to get a comment from Rubongoya when a group of men in uniform descended on him. The journalist was pushed and shoved away from the police station, with officers warning him against covering the arrests.

Some reports indicate that his equipment was nearly confiscated, but he managed to escape with the help of bystanders.

The incident has sparked outrage among journalists and human rights groups, who view it as another example of media suppression in Uganda.

“This is unacceptable. Attacking a journalist for simply doing his job is a direct assault on press freedom,” said a spokesperson from the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA).

David Lewis Rubongoya condemned the attack, stating that it was part of a broader effort to silence critical voices.

“The regime doesn’t want the world to see what is happening. That’s why they are targeting journalists who report the truth,” he said.

Despite the attack, Mbidde is said to be safe and has vowed to continue covering the developments at Wandegeya Police Station.

Meanwhile, calls for the immediate release of the detained NUP supporters continue to grow, with opposition leaders accusing the government of political persecution.

LINK: https://x.com/ntvuganda/status/1896856037463822485

Even as Uganda inches closer to the Kawempe North by-election, the political atmosphere remains highly charged, with fears of more crackdowns on opposition voices.