ULS Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalist Mukose

By Skika Reporter

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose, who was reportedly arrested by security operatives shortly after appearing on a political talk show in Old Kampala on Sunday.

Mukose, a senior journalist with DigiTalk Media, was allegedly picked up at around 1pm outside Metro FM 90.8 along Martin Road by plain-clothed men. Eyewitnesses said he was forced into a grey Toyota Noah and driven away.

“They were in a van outside the premises. As he was leaving the gate, about five men jumped out, grabbed him and pushed him into the vehicle,” one witness recounted.

His lawyer, Kato Tumusiime, said the operatives later searched Mukose’s residence in Lukuli-Nanganda and confiscated electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phones.

Tumusiime added that Mukose was later detained at Old Kampala Police Station without any formal charges.

“They only said they had opened a general inquiry. Up to now, no charge has been preferred against him,” he said.

ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde condemned the arrest, describing it as an attack on press freedom and the rule of law. He noted that Mukose was arrested shortly after discussing a recent Constitutional Court of Uganda ruling that nullified parts of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022.

“The abduction of a journalist for discussing a court judgment is a direct assault on the rule of law and freedom of expression,” Ssemakadde said in a statement issued on March 30.

He emphasized that court decisions are public and should be freely discussed by citizens and the media.

The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) also condemned the incident, calling it an unlawful abduction and demanding accountability regarding Mukose’s whereabouts.

“As UJA, we strongly condemn this unlawful abduction. Such actions are a direct attack on press freedom, freedom of expression, and the safety of journalists carrying out their professional duties,” the association said.

Mukose is the co-founder and programmes director of Alternative Digitalk Media and was among the petitioners in Constitutional Petition No. 34 of 2022, which challenged the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act.

Earlier this month, the Constitutional Court nullified the law, ruling that Parliament had passed it without the required quorum and in violation of constitutional procedure.

His lawyer suggested the arrest could be linked to Mukose’s involvement in the petition and his public commentary on the law.

“I strongly believe it is related to that. They are still looking for charges they can bring because at the moment they cannot rely on the nullified law,” Tumusiime said.

By press time, police and other security agencies had not issued any official statement regarding the arrest or disclosed Mukose’s whereabouts.