Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS), an umbrella body of legal practitioners and the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), an umbrella of practicing journalists, have strongly condemned the brutal assault and torture of BBS TV reporter Ivan Mbadhi, who appeared in viral footage being beaten by security operatives attached to the Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) unit.
The assault occurred on Monday, January 5, 2026, in Kapichorwa Sub-county, Kween District, where Mbadhi was covering a campaign event of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, a.k.a. Bobi Wine.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, January 06, by the ULS, Mbadhi was inside a media field van with other journalists when he saw a commander of the security team allegedly attempt to spray pepper into the vehicle, forcing journalists to flee.
Mbadhi was among those who exited the van and went on to film the incident using his camera. It was at that moment that two JAT operatives reportedly pounced on him, boxing him heavily in the abdomen, kicking him, and repeatedly smashing his head against a parked motor vehicle.
Video footage circulating online shows the journalist being forcefully restrained by armed operatives as his head is rammed against a vehicle and his professional camera equipment is destroyed.
As a result of the assault, Mbadhi sustained injuries to his ribs, head and other parts of the body, and was left in severe pain.
“This is not an isolated incident,” said Anthony Asiimwe, the ULS Vice President, noting a long-standing pattern in which journalists in Uganda have been beaten, tear-gassed, arrested, intimidated and had their equipment destroyed, particularly while covering opposition political activities.
“Journalism is not a crime. Covering political actors is not an offence,” the legal body said, warning that the State’s continued failure to hold perpetrators accountable amounts to an abuse of democracy and the rule of law.
ULS reminded all security agencies that the 1995 Constitution guarantees press freedom and protects journalists in the performance of their duties, adding that physical assault, obstruction of journalistic work and destruction of equipment constitute gross violations of constitutional rights.
The Society demanded immediate, independent and transparent investigations into the assault on Mbadi, with all responsible officers held personally accountable under the law, and pledged pro bono legal representation to the journalist.
“The continued assault of journalists is unacceptable, and the Uganda Law Society will not remain silent in the face of such impunity. We stand in solidarity with all journalists and media practitioners across the country, particularly those operating in hostile and dangerous environments,” Asiimwe noted.
“ULS has a dedicated team of advocates ready to offer pro bono legal support to the affected journalist and to media practitioners that have suffered any form of violence at the hand of security operatives. The Society will pursue all available legal remedies to ensure accountability and justice,” he added.
In a separate but reinforcing statement, UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda described the attack as torture and a deliberate attempt to silence independent journalism and shield errant security officers from public scrutiny.
“These acts are a blatant violation of Articles 29(1)(a) and 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, which guarantee freedom of the press and access to information,” Kirunda said.
He noted that while the officers involved concealed their identities during the operation, the face of the commanding officer was clearly captured in the footage, providing crucial evidence for legal action.
The journalists’ body said its legal team is preparing to pursue accountability under the Human Rights Enforcement Act and the Constitution, citing precedent from the November 2024 landmark ruling by Justice Boniface Wamala, which held individual security officers personally liable for violence against journalists.
That case, Miscellaneous Cause No. 64 of 2021, was successfully brought by UJA and journalists Timothy Murungi and Henry Sekanjako against the Attorney General and eight UPDF officers, including Lt. Col. Napoleon Namanya.
Kirunda said the association stands in full solidarity with Mbadi and will continue to amplify his voice until justice is served. “Journalists have a constitutional duty to inform citizens about decisions that affect their lives and their country,” he wrote, warning that restricting media access to public information is an affront to democracy and the sovereignty of the people.
Broadcasters urge restraint, probe into incident
Similarly, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), an umbrella association for on-air broadcasters in the country, also weighed in on the incident, acknowledging what it described as an improved security environment for journalists during the current election period, while expressing deep concern over the assault on the BBS TV reporter.
In a statement dated January 5, 2026, NAB said it had noted and commended the general restraint exercised by security agencies so far, which had contributed to safer operations for many journalists.
However, the association said it was troubled by video footage circulating this week showing a journalist from BBS Television being subjected to undue force.
“We call upon the relevant authorities to conduct a swift, transparent and impartial investigation into this specific incident,” NAB said, urging that any officers found culpable be held fully accountable under the law and established disciplinary procedures.
NAB Chairperson Innocent Nahabwe appealed to security forces to maintain professionalism and restraint as the country heads into the final stages of the campaign and election period.
Uganda heads to the presidential and parliamentary polls next week on Thursday, January 15, 2026, an election that is widely seen as a two-face battle between the ruling NRM party and the fast-growing opposition outfit, NUP.
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