In recent years, our media house has endured a series of alarming and violent attacks that threaten the very essence of press freedom and the democratic principles we hold dear.
Each incident has not only resulted in the loss of valuable equipment but has also cast a shadow over our ability to serve the public with unbiased and critical journalism. The first incident in October 2016 saw unknown assailants invade our premises at Tagore Crescent Kamwokya, stealing computers, cameras and essential tools of journalism.
Despite the European Union’s generous donation of replacement equipment, the lack of a thorough police investigation has left us in a state of uncertainty. The promised commitment from the then minister of ICT, Frank Tumwebaze , to bring the culprits to justice has not materialized, leaving us questioning the integrity of the system meant to protect us.
The brutality escalated in April 2017 when a second attack occurred. Again it was at Tagore Crescent and hardly six months had gone by. This time, the intruders not only stole our equipment but wreaked havoc on our workspace, demolishing everything in their path.
The resilience of our team allowed us to rebuild and continue our mission, but the fear and anxiety that accompany such violence lingered. As recent as January 2023, we faced a sinister attempt to harm our team through a poisoned pie, allegedly from the Temptation cakes shop, Sheraton hotel—an incident that was swiftly denied by the hotel.
Now, at Plot 29 Kira Lane, Bukoto, just days ago, on the night of independence, we experienced yet another break-in. This time, the level of destruction was even more disheartening, with valuable laptops, desktop computers and cameras stolen and hard drives maliciously gorged out.
The response from Kira Road police station, a mere 800 metres away, was woefully inadequate. Their hesitance to respond quickly not only compromised the crime scene but also eroded our trust in law enforcement.
These attacks are not mere coincidences; they carry the unmistakable markings of a concerted effort to undermine our work as we approach the forthcoming general elections.
The subtle threats and economic sabotage we have endured suggest a targeted campaign to silence independent journalism. The vandalism of our equipment speaks volumes about an intent to frustrate our efforts to inform the public and uphold democracy.
We, The Observer, will not be deterred by these acts of violence and intimidation. Our commitment to our readers and independent thinkers is unwavering. We stand firm in our belief that a free press is vital for a thriving democracy.
We call upon the authorities to take these threats seriously and conduct a thorough investigation into these recurrent incidents. To our readers, advertisers, donors and supporters, we urge you to stand with us.
Your voices are crucial in ensuring that press freedom is preserved and that those who seek to undermine it are held accountable. Together, we can resist these attempts to silence us and continue our mission to report the truth.
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