Kampala — Charles Rwomushana, a political commentator and former intelligence agent, was forcibly taken off a live radio programme on Saturday morning when a number of armed men broke into the Radio Simba studios in Bukoto, Kampala.
The incident took place while the popular political talk show Gasimbagane ne Bannamawulire (Face Off with Journalists) was being broadcast, the programme being hosted by the experienced broadcaster Peter Kibazo. Rwomushana was one of the guests taking part in the discussion of current political matters when the men entered the studio, grabbed him and took him away. Later footage that was posted on social media depicted at least four men, some of them dressed in civilian clothes and others looking as if they were armed, pulling Rwomushana out of the building while he was still holding a notebook in his hand; one of the men seemed to be carrying a pistol and another had a bigger weapon.
Radio Simba confirmed the incident in its news programme shown during the afternoon, saying that Rwomushana had been taken from the premises at Plot 2, Corporation Rise. The station gave no further information regarding the identity of the men or the reasons for the action. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke admitted that he was aware of the arrest but stated that he had not yet been given official details about the motive or the place where Rwomushana was being detained. “I know that the arrest has taken place, but I have not yet ascertained the motive and the detention site; I will then give the media an update at the appropriate time,” Rusoke told the journalists.
By the end of the day neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces had put out an official statement to clarify the situation. The fact that the seizure took place suddenly, in broad daylight during a live broadcast, caused immediate concern among observers and members of the public who had seen the videos circulating.
Rwomushana is a well-known figure who is frequently controversial in Uganda’s political discussions. Having once been an intelligence officer, he has often given comments on matters of security, politics, and government in radio and television programmes. His name has before been linked to legal actions involving opposition politicians, including documents connected with the current treason trial of the veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Yet, according to earlier reports, the authorities have not brought formal charges against him in that case.
The incident occurs at a time when the political situation in Uganda is more sensitive than usual after the general elections of January 2026. Security agencies have come under criticism from opposition groups and human rights watchers for a number of arrests and detentions of critics and activists in the past few months. The events of Saturday at Radio Simba have increased these concerns, with some commentators finding the public manner in which the station was seized especially alarming.
The people present at the station gave an account of a short yet tense situation. A security guard who was on the site afterwards said that some men surrounded the building while others went into the studio. Rwomushana was not put in handcuffs but was instead firmly taken to a vehicle which was waiting there. The other panelists and the programme host were left shocked when the broadcast was interrupted.
By Sunday evening it was still not known where Rwomushana was, and no official accusations had been made public nor had any reason for his detention been given. Members of his family, his colleagues, and organisations in civil society have asked the authorities to give them some clarity about his safety and legal situation.
The episode has once again brought to light the precarious position of open political discussion in Uganda and the ways in which security agencies deal with prominent commentators. Further developments are to be expected as the police and other security bodies react to increasing questions from the public and the media.
Political analyst Charles Rwomushana seized from Radio Simba studio
