The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has strongly condemned the alleged torture and unlawful detention of two journalists by police officers attached to Kashensheero Police Station in Mitooma District.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda accused officers at the station of assaulting journalists Hillary Twinamatsiko, a correspondent with Nation Media Group (NMG), and Sympathy Magezi of Voice of Ruhinda while they were carrying out their professional duties on June 15.
According to UJA, the journalists had travelled to the area to investigate allegations that police officers at Kashensheero Police Station were frequently absent from duty during working hours. The association said the journalists were allegedly tracked down by police officers during field interviews, arrested, and later detained at the station between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
UJA further alleged that while in detention, Twinamatsiko was subjected to severe physical abuse by police officers. The reported assault included beatings, strangulation, being knocked against a wall, nose squeezing, punches to the stomach, and blows to the head.
The association said the alleged torture lasted about 30 minutes and left the journalist with injuries, including damage to one of his eyes. Following his release, Twinamatsiko reportedly sought medical treatment at Kampala International Teaching Hospital.
UJA described the incident as a blatant violation of constitutional protections guaranteeing freedom of the press and access to information.
“The actions of the officers represent an attempt to intimidate journalists and shield public officials from scrutiny and accountability,” the statement said.
The journalists’ body noted that police officers, as public servants funded by taxpayers, should remain open to lawful media scrutiny rather than resorting to intimidation and violence.
UJA expressed solidarity with the affected journalists and called upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch an immediate investigation into the matter. The association also demanded that any officers found responsible be held individually accountable under the law.
Additionally, UJA urged police authorities to meet the medical expenses incurred by the injured journalist and provide a formal explanation regarding the incident to address growing public concern.
The association further called on the Uganda Police Force to adopt non-discriminatory policies that guarantee journalists unhindered access to information and protect media independence.
UJA warned that it would explore further legal and institutional remedies should its demands not be addressed.
“The Uganda Journalists Association reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and holding duty bearers accountable,” Kirunda said.
“We were moving on a motorcycle and encountered a roadblock on the way to the mayor’s residence,” Twinamatsiko recounted. “They stopped us, confiscated our phones, led us to Kashenshero police station, and put us in cells for over three hours.”
The situation escalated dramatically after they were removed from the cells.
Twinamatsiko revealed that three police officers subjected them to a bizarre and painful ordeal, repeatedly punching and kicking them while demanding to know why they were “fighting” the police institution.
“We were forced to eat mandazi (fried bread) while they blocked our noses,” Twinamatsiko added. Their commercial motorcycle (boda boda) rider was subjected to the same violent treatment.
The journalists were subsequently transferred to the Mitooma Central Police Station and hauled before the District Police Commander.
In a bizarre legal twist, they were charged under the Computer Misuse Act—a law that was declared null and void by the Constitutional Court in March 2026.
The victims were eventually released on police bond and ordered to report back to the station on June 22, 2026.
By press time, Twinamatsiko was undergoing medical treatment at Kyeizooba Clinic in Bushenyi town, suffering from severe stomach and chest pains resulting from the beating.
The Uganda Police Force had not yet issued an official response to the allegations by the time of publication.
