Journalists under their umbrella body the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) have tasked security agencies to account for the whereabouts of the missing journalist Eria Jjengo following his abduction.
Available information from the eye witnesses indicate that Jjengo was abducted on Thursday 10, September, 2026 by the un known men wearing plain clothes who accosted and bundled him in the Noah van that was being escorted by a Toyota Premio car when he had temporarily stepped out of his work station (Baba TV) in Ntinda, and later drove to un known location.
The said men are suspected to have been security operatives.
Speaking during a joint press conference on Monday September, 14 with Jjengo’s relatives and employers from Ntinda, UJA secretary general Emmanuel Kirunda described the journalist’s enforced disappearance as a violation of human rights, international and domestic law, which the authorities should keenly interest themselves in.
Kirunda called for urgent investigations by the authorities into the incident as it will help in establishing his whereabouts since the duty lies with them.
“We are wondering, how can a human being Jjengo who is not like an invisible mustard seed go missing in the country with statutory security agencies charged with the duty of ensuring the protection and security of the citizens and their property?” Kirunda questioned?
The Uganda Journalists Association secretary general used the platform to declare a campaign aimed at establishing the whereabouts of the missing journalists within 30 days from the day this press conference was held.
According to Kirunda, should the investigations fail to be conducted by the authorities within 30 days, they will mobilize journalists into a peaceful demonstration to express dissatisfaction against the abduction.
“We shall have a Black Friday under which journalists will be wearing Black Wears every Friday as they peacefully walk in the procession to the Police headquarters in Naguru to engage the authorities” He stressed.
Kirunda added that filing for a writ of habeas corpus application with the High Court was another aspect under their plan should the efforts aimed at his traceability proves futile.
He condemned the act, noting it raises the concerns of the journalist safety and safety for ordinary citizens.
A complaint of a missing person according to the Baba TV manager Allen Nalusiba was on Friday 11, September 2026 filed at Kira Road Police Division under the reference number 61.11.09.026. The registered case according to the Police records is Disappearance. The Complainant is Kiyini Andrew Mayanja. The missing person/victim is Jjengo Eria.
Nalusiba made a shocking revelation that Jjengo’s mother got a sudden stroke on Saturday when the news of enforced disappearance of her son was broken to her.
Baba TV CEO Alice Matovu expressed the need for detention of Jjengo in a legally prescribed facility if is suspected to have committed any crime. “if Jjengo is suspected to have committed any crime should be detained in a known and legally prescribed facility for easy access by his lawyers, relatives and colleagues”.
His family members including Victoria Nalubega and Shamira Mulungi appealed to the authorities to help them have their brother produced dead or alive.
Efforts to seek comments from the police and army spokespersons in relation to the matter were futile as they declined to speak out.Email:editorial@blazernewstimes.com
