Police in eastern Uganda are facing criticism after a journalist was assaulted while covering a campaign event for opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, in Kween District.
The incident occurred during a disrupted campaign stop after security officers moved to block Kyagulanyi from holding a scheduled rally.
Videos widely shared on social media show two uniformed men, believed to be counter-terrorism officers, restraining BBS TV journalist Mbadhi and repeatedly slamming his head against a parked vehicle.
The footage has sparked outrage among journalists, human rights activists and opposition supporters.
Mbadhi was covering Kyagulanyi’s brief roadside engagements after police allegedly blocked access to the designated rally venue.
Following the assault, the journalist was rushed to the hospital, where he received first aid.
Several other journalists were reportedly affected after police fired teargas to disperse crowds during the operation.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) condemned the incident and demanded an immediate probe.
"We call upon the relevant authorities to conduct a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation into this specific incident," the body said in a statement.
Kyagulanyi, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), equally condemned the incident, accusing security agencies of deliberately targeting both his supporters and members of the media.
“They are scared of the people and the truth,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement shared online. “Journalists are being beaten simply for doing their work, and this shows the level of repression Ugandans are facing.”
He said police had blocked him from holding planned rallies, forcing his campaign to rely on short roadside interactions with supporters.
The incident comes amid growing concern over press freedom and political space in Uganda as the country heads toward general elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
Kyagulanyi is challenging President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking to extend his long rule.
Security agencies have repeatedly clashed with Kyagulanyi’s supporters and campaign team during the election period, often citing violations of campaign guidelines, including holding unauthorised gatherings and obstructing traffic.
The opposition has rejected these claims, accusing the government of using security forces to suppress dissent and intimidate political opponents.
As the campaign period intensifies, observers say the conduct of security agencies and the protection of journalists will be closely watched both locally and internationally.
The assault on the BBS TV journalist has once again placed a spotlight on Uganda’s shrinking civic space and the risks faced by journalists reporting on opposition politics.