Uganda : Journalist abducted and detained by security agents

Journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose of DigiTalk Media was abducted by plain- clothed officials on Sunday, 29 March in the capital Kampala, after coming out from a radio talk show in which he was invited as a guest. He was subsequently detained at the Old Kampala Police Station. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns this act of intimidation and violence orchestrated to intimidate journalists and suppress media freedom and freedom of expression.

Journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose ( Photo Credit JamiiForums.com)

According to media reports, journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose was abducted by " unidentified plain-clothed men" after coming out from a radio talk show on the Constitutional Court's nullification of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act 2022. Eye witnesses saw "unidentified men forced Mukose into a waiting grey Toyota Noah and drove off".

Mukose's Lawyer, Kato Tumusiime said that the security operatives had later gone to Mukose's residence and conducted a search confiscating electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phones. He emphasised that no charge has been filed against journalist Mukose, but indicated that the security agents have said that they have" opened a general inquiry".

Arnold Anthony Mukose is one of the petitioners in a case filed against the government on the Computer Misused Act by a group of media organisation and civil society.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger said that the abduction and subsequent detention of journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose without any charge was a blatant attempt to intimidate him.

The IFJ calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mukose and the return of all his electronic devices, including his laptop and mobile phones.