In 2018, Reuters photojournalist James Akena was covering the Free Bobi Wine protests in downtown Kampala when soldiers cornered him. Cameras captured the cameraman on his knees as the soldiers rained huge lashes on his head, his back, his arms...everywhere they could.
They then arrested and detained him for several hours.
Just in March this year, Next Media photographer Francis Isano needed to be admitted to hospital for several days as he was brutally clobbered by security forces who targeted journalists covering the Kawempe North by-election.
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In fact, Isano was not alone in the deplorable mess - Abubaker Lubowa of Daily Monitor was limping and several other journalists were badly bruised.
But Major-General Felix Kulayigye, the defence and military spokesperson, thinks there should be a warning to journalists that even if they were merely doing their job and that journalism is not a crime, if a soldier felt they were biased, then roughing up the reporters is the way to go.
"As long as you behave in a biased manner, don't be surprised when some individuals are rough on you. They are also human beings. Why do you take photographs, 'selectively'?" he said.
And just like that, the chilling warning appears stark and dark despite all efforts to ensure that the media is allowed to operate within its spaces, to do its democratic duties to cover events as they take place.
The role of journalists in Uganda has always been a precarious one, particularly when covering protests, elections, or security operations.
Gen Kulayigye's remarks, spoken on The Big Talk with Canary Mugume on Tuesday evening, highlight the thin line reporters are expected to walk between impartial coverage and personal safety.
Kulayigye advised journalists covering riots or demonstrations to "be with security agencies" if they want to remain safe.
While Kulayigye stopped short of endorsing attacks on journalists, his comments come against a backdrop of persistent threats to media practitioners.
During the March 13 Kawempe North by-election, journalists from major outlets, including Next Media's Francis Isano and several reporters from Nation Media Group, were violently attacked by security forces while covering the electoral process.
Cameras were seized, footage deleted, and some reporters were physically assaulted. These incidents highlight the daily dangers journalists face in Uganda's charged political climate.
Kulayigye's assertion that journalists represent only a fraction of Ugandans--"the people who make comments and write on social media and newspapers don't even make 5% of Uganda's population; and you make that a standard perception?"--raises questions about the balance between government authority and press freedom.
While it is true that the majority of citizens may not actively engage with media coverage, journalists serve as the conduit through which information reaches the wider population, shaping public perception and holding power to account.
The past decade in Uganda has been marked by repeated confrontations between security forces and the press.
During the 2021 general elections, dozens of reporters were temporarily detained, assaulted, or intimidated while attempting to cover protests or opposition events.
International press freedom organizations have repeatedly flagged Uganda for its harsh treatment of journalists, particularly those covering politically sensitive events.
Kulayigye's warning that "it is important to appreciate that there is a government that is in charge of the country. We have built the capacity to know what you have 'not said"' underscores the tension between state security priorities and journalistic independence.
While authorities argue that such oversight is necessary to maintain order, critics contend that it can easily slide into censorship, intimidation, or arbitrary punishment.
The broader concern is the chilling effect on reporting. When journalists fear physical retaliation or legal consequences for perceived bias, coverage of protests, electoral irregularities, or government misconduct may become selective or muted. This undermines transparency, accountability, and ultimately, democracy itself.
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Uganda's media landscape remains vibrant and resilient despite these challenges. Outlets like Next Media, Nation Media Group, and independent radio stations continue to report on elections, security operations, and human rights abuses.
Yet the recurring pattern of attacks and intimidation--coupled with high-level statements that appear to sanction rough treatment for so-called "biased" reporting--suggests that journalists must constantly navigate an environment in which the stakes are not only professional but personal.
In the end, Kulayigye's remarks, while framed as guidance, highlight a persistent dilemma: how can journalists operate freely in Uganda when the line between lawful authority and potential violence is blurred? Until this balance is addressed, reporting in Uganda will remain a high-risk endeavour, and the public's right to accurate, impartial information will continue to be compromised.
