November 3, 2020, Kampala, Uganda—Journalist Sumy Sadruni and others were attacked, pepper-sprayed, and tear-gassed during an electoral rally they were covering in Uganda. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is disturbed by these attacks on journalists in Uganda. 

Since the beginning of preparations for the presidential election, there has been a rise in alarming updates from Uganda. The current authoritarian regime is fighting for its existence by targeting journalists, political dissidents and leaders. 

The Associated Press reported the arrest of opposition leader and presidential candidate, Bobi Wine, by police forces who dragged him from his car. He was later released, and the police made a statement claiming that the arrest at the rally was related to his “plans of holding illegal processions”. This was the second arrest for Mr. Bobi Wine in less than a month. 

Journalists were attacked and tear-gassed while covering this rally. Journalist Sumy Sadruni commented to CFWIJ “Journalists were targeted by police as we were covering a sort of political rally. We were teargassed, some were beaten and stopped from doing our jobs. Personally, a tear gas canister went off on my leg and someone tried to rob me but luckily I grabbed my bag quickly enough. Then, photos of me and another colleague who is a guy were posted on Twitter calling us CIA spies.”

The posts that claimed Sumy and her colleagues are CIA spies were published by military intelligence spokesmen. These claims represent a real threat that could endanger their lives and freedoms. 

Press freedom is one of the main pillars of free and fair election standards internationally. Attacking and threatening journalists is not only an infringement of freedom of expression, but it also undermines the credibility of the entire electoral process. 

Women journalists in Uganda are subjected to several forms of threats starting from online trolling, to imprisonment and physical attacks. President Museveni has a long record of silencing and targeting women journalists. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned about the state of press freedom in Uganda and calls upon Ugandan authorities to halt its oppressive practices and create a safe environment for journalism and women journalists.