Uganda: Opposition Party Supporters Viciously Assault Nowamani Ainembabazi at Press Conference
CFWIJ is heartbroken by the journalism intern's traumatic experience
Location: Uganda, Kampala
Date: July 20, 2023
Credit: MCI
Supporters of opposition party FDC attack Nowamani Ainembabazi, a journalist intern at New Vision, while on assignment to cover a press conference at FDC headquarters in Kampala. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with the young woman journalist at the start of her career. We are appalled by the violence directed towards Ainembabazi and demand a thorough police investigation and a strong condemnation from FDC leaders of its supporters’ actions.
While trying to cover a press conference by Uganda’s largest opposition party FDC in the capital city Kampala, supporters of the political group denied journalists access to the building, subsequently beating several reporters and confiscating their phones.
Nowamani Ainembabazi, a young journalism student at Nkumba University interning with the newsroom New Vision, was taken to the hospital with injuries to her mouth. Her family has pleaded with party officials to cover medical and dental costs. “We are praying she doesn’t lose them (her teeth),” a family member told the press.
Ainembabazi, an aspiring woman journalist, is a fellow of the Media Challenge Initiative. The highly competitive multimedia fellowship is awarded to 25 top students from 12 universities nationwide.
The party invited Ainembabazi and other journalists to cover a press conference where party chairman Waswa Birigwa was supposed to talk. However, political party supporters became aggressive upon seeing the reporters, charging at them, preventing them from entering, and assaulting them.
Ruhweza Ibrahim Kisembo Atwooki, another journalist attacked by supporters, says the assailants ran back to the party’s office, “which means they know them.”
Mwijukye Francis, FDC representative of Buhweju County in Uganda’s parliament, visited Ainembabazi in the hospital to relay his support. The politician apologized on behalf of the party and promised they would foot the reporter’s bills.
Increased attacks on press freedom in the country
The International Press Insitute reports that 13 journalists have been physically assaulted in Uganda this year alone. Additionally, according to Committee to Protect Journalists, a new anti-LGBTQI law signed into law in May has increased self-censorship among journalists.
The recent incident at FDC headquarters worries many. “The violence meted out on journalists is not only criminal but also a clear violation of press freedom under articles 29 and 40 of the constitution of Uganda,” says Mathias Rukondo, president of the Uganda Journalists Association.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is saddened by the harm done to Nowamani Ainembabazi, a young aspiring journalist who was physically and mentally hurt. Especially for women journalists at the outset of their careers, attacks such as against Ainembabazi could deter them from pursuing journalism in the future. We stand in strong solidarity with the reporter. We welcome the promise of party representative Mwijukye Francis to foot the journalist’s medical bills. We further demand police to investigate the matter and hold the attack's perpetrators to account. Journalists should be free to report on critical issues without fear of assault, especially when invited to cover an event.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.