Staff Reporter
Journalists and social media influencers were arrested by Kabale police around 11:40 PM on August 8, 2024, in connection with the planned “March to UMEME” protest scheduled for August 9, 2024.
The detained individuals include Job Namanya Apuuli, a journalist with Vision Group; Obed Kankiriho, a journalist associated with The Source UG and Daily Monitor; and social media influencers Murungi Charlotte Kemigisha, known as Kemmy, and Tumuranze Precious. They were apprehended at Café Barista, a popular spot in Kabale town.
The arrests were carried out by Andrew Akanyijuka, the Officer in Charge of Kabale Police Station, who, accompanied by several officers, presented an arrest warrant citing charges of inciting violence. The group was then taken to Kabale Police Station, where they are currently being held.
Kabale District Resident Commissioner Godffery Nyakahuma expressed concern over the arrests, calling the incident unfortunate and unwarranted. He noted that there are no substantial links between the arrested individuals and the planned protest, raising questions about the validity of the charges.
The arrests come amidst a growing social media campaign mobilizing residents for a peaceful demonstration against UMEME, the electricity distribution company. The protest, named “March to Kabale UMEME Offices,” is in response to frequent and prolonged power outages in the region, which have severely disrupted daily life and local businesses.
Residents have voiced increasing frustration with UMEME’s erratic power supply, which they believe has negatively impacted services and livelihoods. The planned march seeks to hold UMEME accountable and demand more reliable electricity services for the community.
