Amnesty International has called on Ugandan authorities to immediately halt what it describes as an escalating campaign of intimidation against journalists, media houses and human rights activists following the closure of several major media outlets and the arrest of prominent government critics.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the human rights organisation condemned the shutdown of at least six media outlets and the arbitrary detention of activists, saying the actions represent a serious attack on freedom of expression and association in Uganda.
Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, accused Uganda’s military leadership of orchestrating a sustained crackdown on independent voices.
“The president’s son continues his unchecked and unjust campaign of harassment and intimidation of independent media and civil society. These latest attacks on media outlets are emblematic of years-long crackdown on freedoms of expression and association in Uganda,” Chagutah said.
The organisation urged the military to immediately withdraw from the affected media houses and stop all forms of intimidation and interference targeting journalists.
Amnesty also called on the Ugandan government to reverse what it termed the continued erosion of human rights by ending politically motivated investigations, halting the misuse of the criminal justice system against critics and releasing all individuals it says have been arbitrarily arrested.
Among those Amnesty wants released are opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and veteran politician Miria Matembe.
According to Amnesty International, Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni’s son, ordered the closure of the Daily Monitor newspaper, NTV, Dembe FM, Spark TV, KFM and The East African on the night of 28 June without providing any justification.
The organisation also highlighted a series of security operations targeting activists.
On 24 June, security agents reportedly raided the Kampala home of veteran politician Miria Matembe after she criticised General Muhoozi over alleged human rights violations. Four days later, General Muhoozi publicly confirmed that she had been detained.
Amnesty further said security officers raided the offices of feminist organisation Akina Mama wa Africa (AMWA) in Kampala on 25 June. The group’s Executive Director, Eunice Musiime, was arrested on 28 June alongside Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance. Both were later released without being charged.
The rights organisation warned that the continued targeting of journalists, civil society organisations and opposition figures threatens democratic freedoms in Uganda and called on authorities to uphold constitutional rights and international human rights obligations.
The Ugandan government had not publicly responded to Amnesty International’s latest allegations at the time of publication
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