KAMPALA, Uganda — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Ugandan authorities to urgently establish the whereabouts of journalist Eria Jengo and confirm his safety following his disappearance after he was reportedly forced into an unmarked vehicle in Kampala on September 10.
Jengo, a crime reporter with Baba TV, has not been heard from since he left his workplace at around midday to buy lunch and was reportedly intercepted by several people in an unmarked vehicle while returning to the office in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb.
Baba TV Head of News Joel Kafuko told CPJ that Jengo left his personal belongings, including his mobile phone and laptop, at the office.
“CPJ is increasingly worried about Ugandan journalist Eria Jengo, who has not been heard from since he left his office at lunchtime on September 10. His family and colleagues urgently need answers,” said Muthoki Mumo, CPJ Africa Programme Coordinator.
“Ugandan authorities should establish his whereabouts, credibly confirm his safety, and ensure that those responsible for his disappearance are held to account,” Mumo added.
Baba TV Programme Director Phocus Luyobya told NTV Uganda that Jengo was picked up by two vehicles, one of which was a Toyota Noah.
Such vehicles have been nicknamed “drones” by Ugandans because of the speed with which they reportedly drive away with people picked up by their occupants.
Jengo’s disappearance has raised concerns among his family, colleagues and media rights advocates, who are demanding answers about his whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has reportedly filed a complaint with the Uganda Human Rights Commission over what it described as Jengo’s enforced disappearance by suspected security operatives.
Uganda’s security agencies have previously faced allegations of involvement in enforced disappearances and illegal detention.
Human Rights Watch has, in past reports, accused the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force of involvement in the illegal detention of more than 100 people, some of whom reportedly died as a result of torture. Other individuals have remained unaccounted for, according to reports by human rights organisations and local media.
However, the circumstances surrounding Jengo’s disappearance and the identities of those who allegedly took him remain unclear.
Jengo has worked for Baba TV for more than four years, primarily covering security-related news.
His recent reporting included stories on military cooperation between Uganda and Rwanda, as well as Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth’s parliamentary engagement concerning the priorities of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
According to Kafuko, the newsroom was unaware of any threats, complaints or warnings linked to Jengo’s journalism before he went missing.
Jengo’s partner, Catherine Taidhkwiza, told CPJ that his second mobile phone was missing from their shared home and had been switched off.
She also said police had not provided her with updates on efforts to trace the device.
CPJ said it had not received responses to requests for comment sent through a messaging application on October 9 to government spokesperson Alan Kasujja and Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala.
The media rights organisation continues to call on Ugandan authorities to establish Jengo’s whereabouts, confirm his safety and ensure accountability for those responsible if wrongdoing is established.
Source: Committee to Protect Journalists
