news 16 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Mitooma Police Accused of Torturing Journalists Investigating Neglect of Duty
Two journalists are reporting severe injuries after being allegedly tortured and arrested by police in Mitooma District while investigating claims of a neglected police station. The journalists were reportedly forced to eat mandazi with their noses blocked during the ordeal. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/two-journalists-brutalised-arrested-by-police-while-investigating-neglect-of-duty-in-mitooma-5498658
Two journalists in Western Uganda have suffered significant injuries after an alleged brutal assault and arrest by police officers in Mitooma District. Hillary Twinamatsiko of Nation Media Group Uganda and Sympathy Ahereza from Voice of Ruhinda were reportedly investigating reports of neglect of duty at the Kashenshero Town Council police station, which had been circulating on social media.
The journalists initially spoke with local residents and attempted to get a comment from the Town Council chairperson. Their investigation took a violent turn when they were intercepted by police officers while on a motorcycle en route to the chairperson’s residence. According to Twinamatsiko, their phones were confiscated, and they were detained at Kashenshero police station for over three hours.
Upon release from the cells, the journalists claim they were subjected to a severe physical assault by three police officers. Twinamatsiko described being repeatedly punched and kicked while officers demanded to know why they were “fighting” the police. In a distressing turn of events, he stated they were “forced to eat mandazi (fried bread) while they blocked our noses.” Their motorcycle rider allegedly endured similar treatment.
The duo was then transferred to Mitooma Central Police Station, where they were reportedly charged under the Computer Misuse Act. Notably, this law was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in March 2026. They were eventually released on police bond, with instructions to report back to the station later this month.
Twinamatsiko is currently receiving medical attention for severe chest and stomach pains. Attempts to get an official statement from the Greater Bushenyi Police spokesperson have been unsuccessful, with promises of a statement unfulfilled.