Uganda: CFWIJ is appalled at the attack on pregnant journalist Teddy Nakaliga

May 5, 2021, Wakiso District - Teddy Nakaliga and a fellow journalist were attacked by Ugandan armed forces for covering a protest in Kayunga Village. This assault was in clear violation of the agreement between the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen David Muhoozi, and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), following the events of February.

Journalists Teddy Nakaliga, a reporter with NTV and Spark TV, and Amon Kayanja of Salt TV, were attacked in the field by members of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) on April 28. The journalists were covering a protest demonstration in Kayunga Village against the two-week power blackout in the region. According to Teddy, she was interviewing the protestors when, without any warning, members of the armed forces attacked her. They whipped her, leaving her face and back bruised, with total disregard for Teddy's pregnancy. The officers also seized and destroyed the reporters’ equipment, including their mobile phones and cameras, to curb all coverage of the event.

This is not the first violent confrontation between the media and military forces in the country. Last February, the military attacked several journalists covering National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi's petition to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) offices in Kololo, Kampala. The journalists were admitted to the hospital for their sustained injuries. The Chief of Defense Forces apologized to the journalists and promised an investigation. 

Following this, a memorandum of understanding was signed between NAB and the Defense Forces. “Both parties shall develop a training plan to sensitise and train journalists on how operations should be covered and for the UPDF, on how journalists and media practitioners should be treated and handled during operations,” read the document. The agreement promised to uphold the constitutional rights and dignity of both the parties involved.

However, the attack on Teddy and other journalists has raised doubts about the sustainability of such an agreement. The army spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso, refused to comment, claiming she was unaware of the incident, while the military has denied any responsibility in the matter. At the same time, there is visible anxiety in journalistic circles about the implications of this attack. According to journalist Abubaker Lubowa, “That these guys can beat a pregnant journalist, is so worrying. I think the commanders did not brief their subordinates on what we agreed on. We had hoped for the better. I think what we signed on that day fell on deaf ears."

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled by the impunity with which the Ugandan armed forces violate the rights of the citizens. The actions of the military are reprehensible and cannot be overlooked. Failing to take responsibility for the cruel attack on a pregnant woman journalist, which could have resulted in dire health complications, is thoroughly condemnable.