Published on 31/03/2025
The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) has boycotted coverage of the Uganda Police Force after the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, refused to apologize for police brutality against journalists during the Kawempe by-elections.
Otafiire dismissed calls for an apology, arguing that President Museveni had already addressed the issue and that he had nothing further to add. “When you reach Jesus, you don’t need a Bishop to plead on your behalf,” he said, implying that the President’s statement was sufficient.
The demand for an apology was led by Nakaseke South MP Lutamaguzi Ssemakula, who on March 26, 2025, urged the Minister to take responsibility for the violence and abductions inflicted upon journalists. However, Otafiire rejected the request, stating that he was in Zimbabwe at the time of the Kawempe by-election chaos.
Lutamaguzi emphasized the principle of Ubuntu, urging Otafiire and his colleagues to acknowledge the harm caused. “Since we have the two ministers, it would be right for them to approach us and take responsibility for what happened during the Kawempe by-election,” he said.
Nyabushozi County MP Wilson Kajwengye attempted to block Lutamaguzi’s demand, arguing that Parliament had already requested a formal ministerial statement on the matter. “If you deny the whole House the opportunity to hear the statement, that will not be fair,” he argued.
In response, Otafiire defended Lutamaguzi’s right to demand answers but reiterated that he was abroad at the time. He added that the State Minister for Internal Affairs had already briefed Parliament and that all ministers were bound by collective Cabinet responsibility. “If you have any further questions, refer them to the Chief Executive [the President] because we follow his position,” Otafiire stated.
Lutamaguzi, however, dismissed Otafiire’s response. “If you saw what happened in Kawempe, you should be able to say something instead of waiting for Cabinet. You are part of the Executive,” he insisted.
Otafiire shot back: “When you have reached Jesus Christ, you don’t need a Bishop. You have reached Jesus, and now you are asking a Bishop to explain?”
While MPs Peter Okeyoh (Bukooli Island) and Kajwengye defended Otafiire, arguing that Parliament should proceed with reviewing the Ministerial Policy Statement, Kinkizi West MP James Kaberuka opposed their stance. He warned against dismissing concerns over police brutality, stressing that Parliament had demanded accountability for those responsible.
“We need to identify the individuals behind this brutality. Let’s not assume we are here on our own behalf. These journalists are not the ones who beat Ugandans. The Minister must provide answers,” Kaberuka said.
Otafiire maintained that a statement would be presented before Parliament, reiterating that he was not in the country during the incident. “We are in charge of the police, but we are not in charge of goons,” he remarked.
Following the media walkout, UPPA President Sam Ibanda Mugabi defended the decision to impose a media blackout on all security agencies until the government guarantees journalists’ safety and ensures that such brutality is never repeated.
Kaberuka backed the media boycott and renewed calls for Parliament to investigate the identities of the masked individuals who attacked journalists and civilians during the Kawempe by-elections.
“The so-called Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) unleashed terror on the media and Ugandans. As we review the Ministerial Policy Statement, we must demand answers on how the Minister plans to prevent such incidents in the future. The money we appropriate belongs to Ugandans, not individuals,” Kaberuka emphasized.
