NTV Journalist Kenneth Odele arrested while covering security meeting in Soroti

By Skika Reporter.

NTV journalist and Nation Media Group (NMG) correspondent in the Teso sub-region, Kenneth Odele, has been arrested in Soroti City under unclear circumstances, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Uganda.

Odele was picked up on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from Soroti University, where he had been assigned to cover a security meeting convened by the Minister of Security, Major General (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi.

He was subsequently detained at Soroti City Central Police Station (CPS). The reasons for his arrest had not been established by the time of filing this report.

His arrest comes amid growing anxiety among journalists in the Teso sub-region, several of whom reportedly received threatening text messages on their personal phone numbers last week. The threats have heightened fears among media practitioners, with some reportedly avoiding certain assignments over concerns about their safety.

Odele’s detention has now intensified questions about whether journalists can independently and safely cover security and political developments in the region.

At Soroti CPS, a source said the officer handling Odele’s file was absent at the time of reporting. Soroti City East Division Police Commander, Godfrey Byaruhanga, said he was verifying the circumstances surrounding the detention and would provide an update, but had not responded by press time.

The arrest occurred as Minister Muhwezi held a security briefing bringing together District and City Internal Security Officers (DISOs), Group Internal Security Officers (GISOs) and other intelligence personnel from across Teso. The meeting was part of a nationwide tour aimed at strengthening security oversight of government projects and fighting corruption.

On November 7, newly elected Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) President Emmanuel Kirunda called on authorities to respect press freedom and human rights, warning that threats, arrests and harassment undermine the media’s watchdog role.

“A journalist who works in fear cannot report the truth. We must protect the press, not punish it,” Kirunda said.

Odele’s arrest has therefore renewed calls for authorities to clarify the circumstances of his detention, uphold journalists’ constitutional rights and ensure media practitioners can carry out their work without intimidation.

As questions remain unanswered, the incident has become another test of press freedom and the protection of journalists covering sensitive public affairs in Uganda.