A security briefing for parliamentary aspirants in Rukiga District turned contentious on Friday, October 17, 2025, when aspiring legislator Kiconco Patrick Katabazi, popularly known as KP, objected to media presence, resulting in a journalist being denied access to the meeting.
The briefing, held at the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), aimed to inform prospective Members of Parliament about security arrangements ahead of the upcoming national nomination week. Sources revealed that the RDC, who leads the district security committee, initiated a vote on whether the media should be allowed to remain in the room as the meeting commenced.
Despite a majority of the aspiring MP representatives agreeing to media presence, Katabazi’s objection led to the journalist being asked to leave. The barred journalist, who wished to remain anonymous, described the incident as part of a broader issue regarding media access in Rukiga.
“Media coverage in Rukiga is facing a challenge stemming from officials who deny releasing public information,” the journalist stated, highlighting that the meeting’s topics were of significant public interest.
This incident raises legal concerns surrounding the right to information in Uganda. Article 41(1) of the Ugandan Constitution grants citizens, including journalists, the right to access information held by the state, with exceptions only for issues of national security or privacy concerns.
Katabazi has yet to publicly clarify his reasons for opposing media coverage of the briefing. This situation underscores ongoing tensions between political figures, state security agencies, and the media’s constitutional role in informing the public, particularly during this sensitive electoral period.
