Robert Kayongo. Photo/X
Journalist Robert Kayongo has strongly condemned the alleged assault of camera operator Mbadhi Ivan, describing it as a direct attack on press freedom and a worrying sign of increasing hostility toward journalists in Uganda.
In a statement shared on X, Kayongo said he worked with Mbadhi for seven years at BBS Terefayina, first as a field reporter and later as an editor on the news desk.
He described Mbadhi as a disciplined and professional journalist who avoided confrontation, even while covering tense and politically charged situations.
Kayongo recalled that their reporting work often exposed them to threats and intimidation, simply for documenting events of public interest.
Despite these pressures, he said Mbadhi remained calm and committed to telling stories through his camera without engaging in quarrels or disputes in the field.
The journalist said he was disturbed by reports that Mbadhi was assaulted while on duty, with his camera damaged during the incident.
He accused security agencies, including the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, of targeting a journalist who was lawfully carrying out his work.
Kayongo linked the incident to what he described as a broader pattern of repression against journalists and civil society actors in Uganda.
He argued that attacks on the media are increasingly being used to intimidate those who expose governance failures and hold leaders accountable.
He warned that silencing journalists undermines transparency and weakens public trust in state institutions.
Kayongo called on authorities to protect media workers and ensure accountability for abuses against the press, insisting that intimidation and violence cannot suppress the public’s right to information.