Journalists body the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has protested the continued detention of journalist Frank Bwekumbule attached to Impact FM Radio and Dream Tv, for reporting a story allegedly exposing a defaulted payment to one service provider by the controversial NRM party mobiliser Justine Nameere.
Bwekumbule has been held in Masaka Central Police Station (CPS) detention since Tuesday 21st April, following his arrest when he had reported there to file a complaint against two suspected criminal men that had recently barbarically attacked him on his way back home from work.
The statement released by UJA on Thursday indicated that the Ndeeba based Pentecostal media house correspondent was being held in relation to his recorded video content featuring one Cissy Nanyange a coffee business supply chain dealer in Masaka, complaining against what she called her defaulted payment by Nameere.
Nanyange according to the statement, had allegedly supplied Nameere with coffee seedlings during her 2026 election campaign drives upon reaching an agreement with her, that she would be paid shortly after, which never happened.
It has emerged that in a bid to have her demanding voice amplified, she approached Bwekumbule who journalistically recorded her claim in a video which was eventually released to Nameere’s personal assistant, requesting them to draw its attention to their boss for a lasting solution.
However, to the journalist’s surprise, when he reported to the Police station in pursuit of his suspected tormentor’s matter, he was instead detained, sparking concerns of attempted justice frustration by the authorities.
According to UJA, the detention of Bwekumbule who had just executed his journalistic duty is viewed as an attempt to shield some leaders from public accountability, before demanding for his urgent un conditional release or production before any Court if is suspected to have committed any crime.
The journalist’s continued detention came barely days when he had just been attacked by two men, warning him of serious further consequences if he did not to back off whom they called their person. His apprehension occurred during his first public appearance ever since he was attacked, and he was just recovering, according to some of his colleague journalists in Masaka.
The Masaka based journalists told this news Website that the area Police DPC Maurice Oyee had confirmed to them during their fact finding visit there, that Nameere is the complainant against Bwekumbule, and that, she was not feeling good of him to be released.
Nameere’s is one of the ruling NRM party area mobiliser. She is also the Masaka district woman MP following a controversial vote recount exercise by the Masaka Court Chief Magistrate Abert Asiimwe, that is said to have produced more votes than the ones during the original January 15,2026 parliamentary and presidential results.
Her victory declaration by the Magistrate Asiimwe had since then prompted a legal suit in the High Court against her from her challenger Rose Nalubowa (NUP), accusing her of illegally snatching her victory.
However, efforts to seek a comment from Nameere and the Police were futile by the time this news report was compiled.
