The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi has called on the Government to intervene in the case of journalist Ibrah Miracle, who was allegedly attacked and injured by security operatives while covering the nomination of candidates for the Kawempe North by-election.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Ssenyonyi revealed that he had visited the injured journalist at Nsambya Hospital, whose condition remains critical, and urged the Government to take action.

In his submission, he accused security operatives under the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT) of being responsible for the attack and demanded an explanation regarding their role, particularly during the election period.

In response, the State Minister for Industry who was the acting Leader of Government Business, David Bahati, challenged Ssenyonyi to provide evidence linking the Government to the attack.

However, he assured Parliament that the matter would be investigated.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), Robert Ssempala in conjunction with the Uganda Journalists’ Association (UJA) said that the increasing trend of violent attacks on journalists in Uganda is worrying hence demanding for an immediate action against the perpetrators of these crimes and called on the Government to take decisive action to protect press freedom.

By Francis Lubega

27 February 2025

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