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The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has issued a strongly worded condemnation against police officers at Kashensheero Police Station in Mitooma District for allegedly subjecting two journalists to severe acts of torture while they were carrying out their professional duties.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, June 15, 2026, involved Hillary Twinamatsiko, a correspondent with Nation Media Group (NMG), and Sympathy Magezi, a journalist with Voice of Ruhinda. According to the UJA, the two were following up on a story to independently verify claims that police officers at the station were persistently absent during working hours—a matter of public interest and accountability.
However, what began as routine investigative journalism quickly descended into a harrowing ordeal that has left the journalism community in shock and outrage.
What Happened in Mitooma?
According to information gathered by UJA teams on the ground, Twinamatsiko and Magezi were intercepted by police officers on patrol who had been tipped off by informers about the journalists’ movements. The officers blocked the journalists from proceeding with their scheduled field interviews and instead drove them to Kashensheero Police Station, where they were detained for approximately three hours—between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
While in detention, the situation took a violent turn. Twinamatsiko was allegedly subjected to brutal acts of torture, including:
The assault, carried out by several Police Constables, lasted for about 30 minutes, leaving Twinamatsiko in serious pain with visible bodily injuries, particularly to one of his eyes. Following his release, he sought medical attention at Kampala International Teaching Hospital.
Magezi, though not physically assaulted to the same extent, was also detained and traumatized by the ordeal.
UJA’s Strong Condemnation
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda condemned the actions of the Kashensheero police officers in the “harshest terms,” describing their conduct as a blatant violation of the constitutional rights to freedom of the press and access to information, as enshrined under Articles 29(1)(a) and 41 of Uganda’s Constitution.
“The officers are public officials funded by taxpayers and must remain open to scrutiny by the media without intimidation,” Kirunda stated. “UJA views their actions as a deliberate attempt to silence independent journalism and to shield their reported absenteeism conduct from public accountability. Such actions undermine the principles of good governance that the Ugandan State is duty-bound to uphold.”
UJA’s Demands
The Uganda Journalists Association has issued three key demands to the Inspector General of Police (IGP):
Immediate investigation into the incident, with all errant officers individually held accountable for their actions as prescribed by law.
Full coverage of medical expenses for the injured journalists, alongside a formal clarification from the IGP’s office regarding the matter to end speculation that the police leadership backs such conduct.
Adoption of non-discriminatory media access policies that respect journalistic independence and ensure that journalists can perform their duties without fear of harassment or violence.
The UJA warned that if these demands are not acted upon, they will “explore other remedies in ensuring that justice is served for the affected journalists.”
A Pattern of Hostility
This incident is not isolated. It comes just days after the controversial abduction of photojournalist and influencer Ninye Tabz in Kamwokya, Kampala, and the arrest of journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose of DigiTalk Media in March 2026. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has previously condemned Uganda’s growing hostility toward media practitioners, warning that such acts are designed to “suppress media freedom and freedom of expression.”
The UJA reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and holding duty bearers accountable.”
The assault on Twinamatsiko and Magezi raises urgent questions about the safety of journalists operating outside Kampala, where police brutality often goes unreported and unpunished. It also highlights the broader climate of impunity that allows law enforcement officers to act with disregard for constitutional protections.
As the UJA noted, journalists are not enemies of the state—they are watchdogs of democracy. Silencing them through violence does not solve problems; it conceals them. The public has a right to know how its institutions function, and journalists have a duty to report.
For now, the journalism fraternity waits to see whether the IGP will act swiftly to address these concerns—or whether the case of Twinamatsiko and Magezi will join the long list of unresolved attacks on media freedom in Uganda.
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