Uganda's High Court: Investigate Threats to Exiled DR Congo Journalist

• Armed men broke into exiled Congolese journalist John Zihindula Bwirabwanda's Ugandan home on August 1.
• The attackers threatened to kill Zihindula for posting news on social media and stole his valuables.
• Ugandan authorities have been urged to ensure Zihindula's safety and hold his assailants accountable.
• The number of journalists fleeing the eastern DRC has soared since Rwanda-backed rebels took control of major urban centers in 2025.

It is shocking that Congolese journalist John Zihindula Bwirabwanda has been unable to escape the violent repercussions of war reporting, despite fleeing his homeland to live in exile hundreds of kilometers away in Uganda.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become increasingly hostile to journalists, with many forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries. The situation is particularly dire in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, where Rwanda-backed M23 and Congo River Alliance (AFC) rebels have taken control of major urban centers since early 2025. Combatants on both sides have used violence and threats to prevent reporting, leaving many journalists with no choice but to abandon their posts. The exodus has been so severe that the number of journalists fleeing the region has soared in recent months. One such journalist is John Zihindula Bwirabwanda, a Congolese reporter who was forced to leave his home and family behind after repeated arrest threats from the M23/AFC. He eventually made his way to Uganda, where he continues to publish news on social media despite facing new threats.

On August 1, Zihindula's Ugandan home was broken into by armed men who threatened to kill him for posting news on social media. The attackers, who spoke both Lingala and Luganda, stole his computer, phones, money, and a briefcase containing his immigration documents. Before leaving, they warned Zihindula that God was on their side because they didn't come for the money but to kill him - and that they would be back. Two of Zihindula's neighbors confirmed the incident, citing fear of reprisals. The local council chairperson reported the attack to the police, who arrived at Zihindula's home hours later to assess the situation.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Ugandan authorities to ensure Zihindula's safety and hold his assailants accountable. CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal noted that it is shocking that a journalist like Zihindula, who fled his homeland to escape violence, should still face threats in exile. She urged Ugandan authorities to take urgent steps to protect Zihindula and ensure that he is not subjected to further death threats or worse. The CPJ has also expressed concern about the lack of progress in investigating the attack, with local police saying they could only comment once the investigation was completed.

Lawyers advising clients with interests in the DRC should be aware of the escalating risks to journalists and consider taking steps to ensure their own reporting or communications are not inadvertently putting them at risk.

Source: Original reporting via Committee to Protect Journalists