Mukono Veterinary Officer Under Spotlight for Assaulting a Journalist

Mukono District Veterinary Officer, Dr. Fred Ssimbwa, is in the spotlight for allegedly assaulting a journalist. Dr. Ssimbwa reportedly attacked Eric Yiga, a journalist attached to Salt Media, for recording a scuffle between councilors. The incident occurred on Monday at Nakisunga Sub-county in Mukono District.

Eyewitness Franklin Mugerwa expressed shock at the doctor's actions. “Besides slapping him, he grabbed his shirt by the neck, demanding to know why he was recording the councilors fighting. ‘Don’t you see it’s just a disagreement?’ he asked,” Mugerwa recounted.

The altercation between the councilors arose after the Speaker adjourned the council session following a heated debate over budget approval. Before the adjournment, a section of councilors demanded that the budget be passed after the Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS) submitted the accountability report for the 2024/2025 financial year. 

However, another faction insisted that the budget should be passed first, with accountability presented in the next sitting. During the break, Deputy Speaker Goreth Kyesubire, the councilor for Kyetume Parish (NUP), began mobilizing councilors to pass the budget once the session resumed. However, Richard Kitumba, another councilor, strongly objected. 

This disagreement escalated when Kyesubire slapped Kitumba, triggering a physical altercation. As the fight ensued, Yiga began recording the incident. Dr. Ssimbwa, however, scolded and assaulted him, accusing him of filming what he termed a mere disagreement.

Ssimbwa received support from Nakisunga Sub-county Vice Chairperson Yafeesi Kiyaga and Councilor Madina Nakayenga (NUP), who were overheard saying that journalists should have learned from past brutality against them, referencing the Kawempe North by-election.

Witnesses claimed that Dr. Ssimbwa bragged about his reputation for being "stubborn" and inciting violence. Some attendees also alleged that he had been consuming waragi mixed with soda. Nakisunga Council Speaker John Mpanga condemned the assault, asserting that journalists have the right to cover council proceedings. 

“I am the head of this council, and no one should stop journalists from covering the sessions. I invite them and take full responsibility for their presence,” Mpanga stated. Following the incident, Yiga filed a case against Dr. Ssimbwa at Mukono Police Station. Dr. Ssimbwa couldn't be reached for comment by the time of filing this story. Journalists in Mukono have condemned the attack and vowed to support their colleagues in seeking justice.