Journalist Mwesigwa fears for life after question to Museveni sparks backlash from PM Nabbanja

Journalist David Mwesigwa (R) asking President Museveni a question (Photo/Courtesy)

Kampala, Uganda: Galaxy TV journalist David Mwesigwa says he fears for his life after asking President Yoweri Museveni a question about the poor state of hospitals in Mukono and Kayunga districts.

Mwesigwa was among reporters cleared to ask the President questions shortly after his nomination for a seventh term at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Lweza-Makindye Ssabagabo last Tuesday.

He highlighted issues of inadequate infrastructure, shortages of staff, and lack of equipment at Mukono General Hospital, Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, and Namuganga Health Centre III, where he said patients, including pregnant mothers, were giving birth on the floor.

President Museveni responded by directing Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to follow up and address the concerns. Two days later, Nabbanja made an impromptu visit to Mukono General Hospital, where she found the facility wards overcrowded and patients lying in hallways. She admitted the facility was functioning like a “small health centre” despite being mandated to serve the whole district.

However, her subsequent visits to Kayunga and Namuganga Health Centre III were reportedly staged, with staff cleaning and clearing patients before her arrival. Nabbanja praised Kayunga Hospital, but controversially ordered police to summon Mwesigwa.

“He should come and explain himself. His name is Mwesigwa. He didn’t dare come here, he only stopped in Mukono. He should apologise to the President, to the people of Kayunga, and to me personally,” Nabbanja said during her visit.

Mwesigwa says he has not received an official police summons but is living in fear. “I heard her on tape saying I should go and give a statement to the police. But I haven’t received any official letter or call yet. Still, I’m scared, they could come for me anytime,” he told DailyExpress.

Over the weekend, unconfirmed reports about his arrest circulated on social media, drawing sharp criticism against the Prime Minister.

Human rights defenders and fellow journalists accused Nabbanja of intimidation and abuse of power, arguing that Mwesigwa was only amplifying the struggles of ordinary Ugandans in public hospitals