Jinja, Uganda – The climax of Uganda’s 2021 general elections took a dramatic turn in Jinja after police stormed Busoga One FM Radio, shutting down its operations on allegations of inciting violence and illegally announcing provisional election results. The closure has since ignited heated debate about media freedom, political repression, and the growing influence of opposition figures in the Busoga sub-region.
According to the station manager, Mr. Anyole Innocent, the incident unfolded yesterday evening while the station was relaying provisional presidential and parliamentary results from across the country. At around 6:30 p.m., the Kiira Region Police, acting on orders allegedly from the Deputy Inspector General of Police, forcibly switched off the station’s transmitter. Regional Police Commander Hiriga Dauda reportedly oversaw the operation.
Eyewitnesses and insiders claim that the broadcast included inputs from a team of National Unity Platform (NUP) mobilizers, led by political activist Ronald Welikhe, who was updating listeners on provisional tallies from Jinja. Welikhe’s vocal stance and prominence during the broadcast made him the central figure of the night’s events. When police stormed the premises, he narrowly escaped, but a manhunt was immediately launched for his arrest.
Several of Welikhe’s colleagues, including NUP coordinators Naigaga Flavia and Mbulamuko Fred, were not as fortunate. They were apprehended and detained at Nalufenya Police Station, a facility notorious for handling politically sensitive cases.
Police spokesperson later defended the raid, accusing the station of “inciting violence and announcing unofficial results.” In a statement to HRNJ-Uganda, Ngako emphasized that the operation was part of a broader crackdown:
“We always have problems of inciting members of the community by the media. Busoga One FM was shut down for inciting violence and announcing preliminary results. We got orders from the Deputy Inspector General of Police, and his representative carried out the closure. Another station was shut down yesterday by the Uganda Communications Commission over the same issue.”
The development has since sent shockwaves across Busoga and beyond. While government authorities insist the move was to maintain public order, critics argue it is a blatant assault on press freedom and opposition voices.
For many, Ronald Welikhe has become the highlight of this electoral showdown; a symbol of resistance whose name now dominates conversations in Jinja’s political circles. His disappearance following the raid has further fuelled speculation, with supporters fearing for his safety while security operatives intensify efforts to locate him.
The closure of Busoga One FM and the dramatic escape of Welikhe highlight the tense atmosphere that marked the final stages of Uganda’s 2021 elections. As the country awaits official results, the events in Jinja remain a stark reminder of the fragile balance between state authority, press freedom, and the voices of political opposition.
