Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Mr Isaac Ssemakadde, has hailed Nation Media Group (NMG) photojournalist Abubaker Lubowa, applauding his 12-year visual legacy of truth-telling and frontline documentation as “a courageous act of resistance and integrity” in the age of state repression and AI manipulation.
The glowing tribute was delivered by Derrick Wandera on behalf of ULS President in absentia at the opening of “Through the Lens of Truth: 12 Years on the Frontline of Power and Protest in the Age of AI,” a photo exhibition showcasing Lubowa’s iconic work, launched Thursday, May 8, at ULS House in Kololo, Kampala.
Ssemakadde, who cited “occupational persecution” for his absence, described Lubowa as more than a photographer, calling him “a trusted source of client referrals, a subject of legal advocacy, and a cherished collaborator.”
He said the two had been in partnership for years, often finding themselves at the same protests, legal flashpoints, and civic struggles. “Abubaker’s photographs capture the heartbeat of Uganda’s recent history, from Walk-to-Work to Kazo-Angola, from the hope of the 2016 elections to the defiance of 2020 protests, and the ongoing battles for land rights and environmental justice,” Ssemakadde stated.
The ULS President credited the exhibition’s vision to conversations they began five years ago, at the height of growing threats to press freedom and human rights defenders. “We dreamed of a radical space where his work could stand as both art and advocacy, a platform to amplify silenced voices and illuminate hidden injustices.”
Ssemakadde also praised Ms Dorothy Nabunjo, the Gallery Director at Xenson Art Space, for the “impeccable curatorial performance,” and Nation Media Group, Lubowa’s long-term employer, for supporting human storytelling in an era where media houses are increasingly tempted by AI-generated content.
“In this age of AI-driven image manipulation, Abubaker’s work reaffirms the unmatched authenticity of human vision… reminding us that truth is not a construct or product to be engineered, but a reality to be jealously pursued and defended,” he said. “Together, we must strive for a better Uganda where journalists can work without fear, and where every story finds its voice,” Ssemakadde concluded.
Tributes pour in for Lubowa
The exhibition also drew stirring tributes from civic leaders, journalists, and human rights defenders.
The NMG Uganda Managing Editor, Mr Allan Chekwech, praised Mr Lubowa for his professionalism, mentorship, and visual storytelling during his 12 years with the company.
“Abu is not just the journalist you see behind the lens. He has a sharp photographic eye, an exceptional attention to detail, and a warm spirit,” said Mr Chekwech, reaffirming NMG’s commitment to bold and independent journalism, which is ingrained in telling the truth every day.
Anthony Asiimwe, Vice President of the Uganda Law Society, commended Lubowa’s work as vital to democratic accountability; “It’s only for the brave to cover stories that expose injustice and shine a light on human rights abuses.”
“Journalists like Abubaker serve as the eyes and conscience of society. Without their bravery and commitment, much of what transpires in the corners of our nation would go unseen, undocumented, and unknown,” Asiimwe added.
Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), emphasized the symbolic importance of the Radical New Bar, a reformist wave within the ULS, and called for unity and reconciliation within the legal fraternity:
“Everyone should be grateful for the coming of the #RadicalNewBar. I look forward to the reconciliation that was pledged by the Minister of Justice, Hon. Norbert Mao. I await the day we’ll celebrate that reconciliation with President Isaac Ssemakadde in our midst.”
Ms. Dorothy Nabunjo, Director of Xenson Art Space and curator of the exhibition, hailed Lubowa’s decade-long work as both rare and socially transformative: “I am so excited that today we are showing the works of one of the most celebrated photojournalists in Uganda. Exhibitions of this nature remain rare, especially those that boldly confront social and political issues,” she said.
“Abubaker’s images, many of which have headlined national publications such as Daily Monitor, not only capture history in the making but shape how we come to understand it. His work forms a vital part of our collective memory.”
In his brief remarks, Mr Lubowa expressed gratitude to NMG for supporting his work and never censoring his images. He also thanked the Uganda Law Society for giving him a platform to exhibit his work.
Curated in partnership with Xenson Art Space, the photo exhibition will run for three weeks and features images that document confrontation, resistance, and the quiet resilience of Uganda’s marginalized.
The event, coinciding with global commemorations of World Press Freedom Day, comes at a time when journalists in Uganda continue to face harassment, surveillance, and criminal charges for their work. The Uganda Law Society, through its Radical New Bar initiative, is among the few institutions openly challenging restrictions on civic space and freedom of expression.
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