The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) has condemned the violent attack on Top TV journalist Miracle Ibra, who was assaulted while covering the final stages of candidate nominations for the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election.
The incident occurred as Ibra reported on the nomination of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi.
His attack has raised fresh concerns about the growing violence against journalists, particularly by security forces.
This latest assault adds to a worrying trend of attacks on media professionals in Uganda. During the 2021 general elections, several journalists were beaten while covering former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, in Lira City.
That same year, military police and army officers brutalized multiple journalists as Bobi Wine submitted a petition to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Kampala.
UPPA President Samuel Ibanda Mugabi denounced the attack on Miracle Ibra, describing it as a gross violation of press freedom and a disregard for journalists’ safety.
He stressed that journalists play a vital role in Uganda’s democracy by keeping citizens informed and holding leaders accountable.
“The media is not an enemy of the state but a fundamental pillar of a healthy democracy,” Mugabi stated. “Journalists must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence.”
He called on security agencies to respect journalists’ rights, especially during elections, and urged authorities to investigate the attack on Ibra and bring those responsible to justice.
UPPA also appealed to the government to put in place measures that guarantee the safety of journalists, ensuring they can work freely without threats to their well-being.
