WAR ERUPTS BETWEEN KUMI RDC AND JOURNALISTS OVER BLOCKED MP DEBATE
An open war has erupted between the Kumi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and journalists in the Teso sub-region, following the forceful cancellation of the Kumi Municipality Member of Parliament debate — an action journalists have condemned as a direct assault on media freedom and democratic space.
The debate, organised by Teso Journalists for Community Empowerment under the Teso Decides initiative, was scheduled to take place at North East Villa Guest House.
It was intended to be a controlled media engagement, limited to about 300 invited participants, with the wider public accessing it via radio and social media platforms.
Despite these arrangements, the RDC moved in to block the event, triggering outrage and resistance from journalists.
Teso journalists say the RDC’s decision amounts to a declaration of war against the media, accusing him of using state power to silence journalists and protect political interests.
“This was not about security. This was a hostile move meant to intimidate journalists and deny voters information,”
Journalists further accuse the RDC of making a shocking political statement, allegedly claiming that the debate would “cost President Museveni votes.”
Media practitioners argue that such a statement exposes political bias, misuse of office, and dangerous thinking, warning that security organs must not be turned into tools for political convenience.
The incident is now recorded as the first media-organised political debate to be blocked by security in Teso since the election period began, a move civil society actors say sets a very dangerous precedent.
Observers have questioned how a debate involving journalists and candidates — without an open crowd — could be branded a security threat.
When journalists attempted to seek clarification, the RDC reportedly refused to identify himself, appearing nervous and evasive and in a panicking
“A public officer who can not stand by his decision doesn’t deserve to be in office , he showed incompetence and should not be making decisions that affect democracy,” one journalist remarked.
Organisers confirmed that their advance team was denied access to the venue, with security personnel blocking the setup of broadcasting equipment. Attempts to negotiate, relocate, or postpone the debate were deliberately frustrated.
Anger has since spilled into the community, with residents alleging that the RDC may have been financially influenced to block the debate.
According to locals, one of the candidates feared exposure due to poor public communication skills, and the debate would have laid bare that weakness.
“That is why the RDC acted so fast,” a resident claimed. “This was protection, not security.
In response to what they describe as a hostile clampdown, Teso journalists have announced a consideration of a series of counter-actions, including:
A total media blackout on all Kumi RDC activities, a formal protest letter to the Ministry of the Presidency, Escalation of the matter to national and international media freedom organisations , They insist that intimidation will not silence the media.
Organisers pointed out that similar debates were previously held peacefully in Soroti City, Soroti District, and Serere Woman MP contests at Rino Camp Hotel, raising serious questions about why Kumi has been singled out.
“This is not security management,” journalists say. “This is fear of accountability.”
Teso journalists have issued a blunt warning: “If the RDC chooses confrontation over democracy, then confrontation it shall be.
Blocking a debate is blocking the people.
Silencing journalists is impossible.”
The debate remains cancelled — but journalists stress that the war for democratic space in Kumi has only just begun.
