Kampala, Uganda – The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has strongly condemned what it calls the harassment and intimidation of Galaxy FM and TV journalist David Mwesigwa by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robina Nabbanja and Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, following his public reporting on poor service delivery in health facilities across Mukono and Kayunga districts.
According to a statement released by UJA on Sunday, the Prime Minister and the PS reportedly branded Mwesigwa a “liar” and called for his arrest after he raised concerns about the deteriorating state of public health facilities, concerns he voiced during a post-nomination press conference with President Yoweri Museveni at the Electoral Commission offices in Lubowa.
“Mwesigwa was performing his watchdog role as a journalist when he brought these issues to the attention of the president. Instead of being supported, he has been vilified and threatened,” said Emmanuel Kirunda, UJA Secretary General.
UJA says Mwesigwa initially raised the matter with the President during a journalists’ meeting for the Greater Mukono sub-region in June, after which the President reportedly instructed Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso to follow up. However, with no response forthcoming, Mwesigwa later approached Dr. Atwine, who allegedly also failed to act.
The association states that during the recent interaction with the President, Mwesigwa raised the concerns again, prompting President Museveni to direct Prime Minister Nabbanja to intervene.
Instead, UJA claims that both Nabbanja and Atwine have “choreographed” a campaign to discredit the journalist, with the Prime Minister allegedly mobilizing local leaders in Mukono to sanitize the situation ahead of her visit, while still failing to deny that the facilities needed urgent attention.
At Mukono Health Centre, the Prime Minister herself reportedly acknowledged serious service delivery challenges, thereby confirming the substance of Mwesigwa’s original reporting.
During a subsequent visit to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, the Prime Minister dismissed allegations of oxygen plant shortages and accused Mwesigwa of spreading false information. Dr. Atwine reportedly echoed these claims and directed that Mwesigwa be arrested.
However, UJA alleges that some of the equipment shown to media during the visit had been newly delivered just days before. At Namuganga Health Centre in Kasawo, UJA says patients were allegedly coached on what to tell the media, despite widespread absenteeism among medical staff.
The Prime Minister also claimed that Mwesigwa was absent from the Kayunga tour “because he feared being exposed as a liar.” UJA refuted this, explaining that while Mwesigwa was present during the Mukono visit, he was blocked by a police officer from proceeding with the Prime Minister’s convoy to Kayunga.
Press Freedom Under Threat
UJA views the actions of the Prime Minister and the PS as a direct attack on press freedom and an attempt to gag critical journalism.
“Even if Mwesigwa were wrong in his reporting “which we do not accept” the Constitution of Uganda under Articles 29(1)(a) and 40(2) guarantees his right to freedom of expression and to carry out his journalistic duties without fear,” Kirunda emphasized.
The association expressed concern that rather than addressing the underlying public health challenges, government officials have chosen to target the whistleblower.
Additionally, UJA revealed that a press assistant from the Prime Minister’s office allegedly intimidated Mwesigwa by phone, compelling him to report himself to the police, a move the association strongly condemns.
UJA announced that it will stand in full solidarity with Mwesigwa and has instructed its legal team to explore all legal avenues to protect his constitutional rights.
In response to the Prime Minister’s directive that Mwesigwa report himself to the police, UJA stated that he will not go alone:
“All UJA members and journalists will escort Mwesigwa in a peaceful procession when he goes to report to the police, as directed by Rt. Hon. Nabbanja,” the statement reads.
UJA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting journalists from intimidation, harassment, and unlawful arrest, especially when they are acting in the public interest.
