Armed Men Seize Analyst Charles Rwomushana from Kampala Radio Studio
Kampala, Uganda – Armed men in plain clothes forcibly removed political commentator and former intelligence operative Charles Rwomushana from the Radio Simba studios in Kampala on Saturday morning, sparking outrage and raising fresh concerns about the safety of media personalities in Uganda .
The incident occurred around 10:30 AM during the live broadcast of the station’s popular Saturday political talk show, Gasimbagane ne Bannamawulire (Face Off with Journalists) . Video footage circulating online shows several men, some armed with pistols and assault rifles, escorting Rwomushana out of the building while he clutched a notebook . According to witnesses, the security operatives did not identify themselves or sign the visitors’ book before storming the premises .
Details of the Raid
A station security guard, Catherine Nsibiha, described how the operation unfolded: two vehicles parked near the studio around 10 AM. About 20 minutes later, a group of armed men forced their way into the building, took strategic positions, and went straight to the studio . The receptionist, Christine Namubiru, stated she was put at gunpoint when she tried to question the intruders .
Radio Simba confirmed the incident occurred at its Bukoto premises but provided no further details . Neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces had issued a statement regarding Rwomushana’s whereabouts or the reasons for his detention by Saturday afternoon .
A History of Controversy and Detentions
Rwomushana, a former head of political intelligence at the Internal Security Organisation, is no stranger to controversy. He has been detained multiple times for his outspoken views . In 2020, he was arrested for allegedly promoting sectarianism and criminal libel related to posts about the disappearance of Christopher Aine, an aide to former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi . He was released after four days .
More recently, Rwomushana’s name has surfaced in connection with a treason case involving opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, which some reports suggest may be linked to this latest arrest . Reports also indicate Rwomushana recently made comments on the same radio station regarding a reported power struggle within the First Family, drawing attention from security forces .
Public and Political Reaction
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and citizens. National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya expressed shock, posting on X: “Charles Rwomushana grabbed out of Simba Radio studios by armed men in civilian clothes? Whatever is not happening in Uganda!” . Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura also condemned the act, stating, “When lawlessness becomes the norm, everyone on this sinking ship is at risk” .
The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for his release online under the hashtag #FreeCharlesRwomushana . Human rights groups have expressed alarm over the use of unmarked vehicles and unannounced detentions against journalists and commentators in Uganda .
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