National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has condemned what he termed as an escalating clampdown on independent media in Uganda, following reports that journalists from the Nation Media Group (NMG) have been barred from covering Parliament.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Bobi Wine expressed concern over the reported decision to block NMG reporters from accessing parliamentary proceedings and events, calling the move unconstitutional and detrimental to press freedom.
“We have noted with great concern the disturbing news that journalists from the Nation Media Group and its affiliates have been unilaterally blocked from covering Parliament, in addition to their earlier ban from covering activities involving President Museveni,” he said. “We strongly condemn this action and urge the leadership of Parliament to immediately reverse it.”
While Parliament has not yet issued a formal explanation for the ban, Kyagulanyi suggested it could be retaliation for recent NMG publications that allegedly exposed corruption and abuse of power within the institution.
He described the action as “a cowardly attack on Ugandans’ right to know” and “an unjustified assault on Article 29 of the Constitution,” which guarantees freedom of speech and the press.
Kyagulanyi further noted that restrictions on journalists are part of a broader trend of intimidation and suppression of critical voices, citing past incidents in which journalists were harassed or assaulted while on duty.
“These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic effort to instill fear and force self-censorship in the media,” he said. “By banning independent media and targeting journalists, the regime is openly admitting that it has something to hide.”
The NUP leader reaffirmed his party’s commitment to defending media freedom and protecting journalists who continue to “report the truth despite the risks.”
“We stand in full solidarity with the brave journalists of Nation Media Group and all other practitioners who continue to uphold the values of truth and accountability,” he added.
The development has sparked widespread debate among media practitioners and human rights defenders, who have urged Parliament to uphold transparency and ensure equal access to information for all journalists.
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