Govt Revokes Foreign Press Passes a Month Before Uganda Elections

With a little over a month before the presidential elections, Uganda has revoked media accreditation for all foreign journalists, including those already registered to cover the January 14, 2021 polls, according to the government-run Media Council of Uganda. The council said that journalists have been told to reapply within seven days, adding that it has implemented the registration to "ensure the industry is well-monitored and sanitized from quacks." The council also said that only those vetted and approved would be protected while covering important events. Journalist David Kalinaki of the Nation Media Group said: "the timing is very suspicious, both in terms of when it has been announced, and how much time has been given for conformity." Opposition leaders, including MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as singer Bobi Wine, have faced harassement from authorities while on the campaign trail. Protests after Wine's arrest, saw an increase in violence and over 50 people were killed, most losing their lives when live ammunition was fired by security forces.