A journalist working with Nation Media Group in the Greater Bushenyi region is recovering from injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by police officers attached to Kashenshero Police Station in Mitooma District while carrying out his duties.
Hillary Twinamatsiko, a correspondent covering the Greater Bushenyi area, claims he was arrested and beaten by officers while following up on a story concerning a viral social media video that questioned police conduct in the area.
The video, reportedly posted by Allan Hillary Asiimwe, popularly known as Gen Van Allan and the Mayor of Kashenshero Town Council, alleged that officers attached to Kashenshero Police Station were frequently absent from duty.
According to Twinamatsiko, he had obtained approval from his editors before embarking on the assignment. He was accompanied by Ahereza Sympathy, a reporter with Voice of Ruhinda, to gather information from residents and other sources.
Twinamatsiko said the pair interviewed local residents, recorded audio testimonies, and took photographs before arranging to meet the mayor, who was central to the story.
“We had finished interviewing residents and documenting their concerns. We then hired a boda boda to take us to the mayor’s residence for his side of the story. However, before we reached our destination, police officers intercepted us and placed us under arrest,” Twinamatsiko said.
He alleges that the journalists cooperated with officers and were taken to Kashenshero Police Station, where they were ordered to surrender their phones, recording equipment, wallets, and camera.
According to Twinamatsiko, they were detained from approximately 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. without being informed of the reason for their arrest.
He further alleges that officers searched their devices and found a photograph of a police signpost on his phone, after which he was subjected to physical assault.
“They examined our phones and found nothing on my colleague’s device. On mine, they found a picture of a police signpost. After that, I was beaten. Even the boda boda rider who had transported us was assaulted,” he claimed.
Twinamatsiko alleges that he was physically attacked by several officers for nearly 30 minutes. He claims he was punched, strangled, slammed against a wall, and sustained injuries to his eye, neck, and abdomen.
The journalist said he was later released on police bond following the intervention of the Regional Police Commander. He added that it was only after his release that he learned the alleged grounds for his arrest.
Following the incident, Twinamatsiko sought medical attention at Kampala International Teaching Hospital, where he says doctors recommended further examination, including a CT scan.
The alleged assault has drawn condemnation from fellow journalists and media practitioners in the region.
Joseph Nahabwe, a journalist based in Sheema District, described the incident as disturbing and called upon senior police leadership to investigate the conduct of the officers involved.
“We strongly condemn any form of violence against journalists. The media and the police should work together in serving the public interest. Such actions undermine that relationship and create unnecessary hostility,” Nahabwe said.
Meanwhile, Allan Hillary Asiimwe, the Mayor of Kashenshero Town Council, confirmed that he had scheduled a meeting with the journalists on the day of the incident but later learned that they had been arrested before reaching him.
“I was expecting to meet the journalists as agreed, but I later heard they had been arrested. I am still trying to establish exactly what happened,” Asiimwe said.
When contacted for a response, the Greater Bushenyi Regional Police spokesperson, Apollo Tayebwa, said he was still gathering information about the incident and would provide an official comment after obtaining details from officers on the ground.
The incident has renewed concerns among media practitioners about the safety of journalists while carrying out their work, particularly when reporting on matters involving public institutions and accountability. Press freedom advocates have repeatedly called for stronger protections for journalists and adherence to professional standards in interactions between security agencies and the media.
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