CPJ: Uganda Must Probe Journalist Eria Jengo Disappearance

• Ugandan journalist Eria Jengo vanished on September 10 in Kampala after being forced into an unmarked vehicle.
• Jengo, a crime reporter for Baba TV, had been covering sensitive security news, though his employer was unaware of any threats.
• The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Ugandan authorities to locate Jengo and ensure his safety.
• The Uganda Journalists Association filed a complaint with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, citing an enforced disappearance by suspected security operatives.
• This incident occurs amidst a history of alleged enforced disappearances by Ugandan police and military.

The disappearance of Eria Jengo underscores significant risks for journalists in Uganda, particularly those covering sensitive security topics.

Ugandan journalist Eria Jengo, a crime reporter for Baba TV, has been missing since September 10 after he was reportedly forced into an unmarked vehicle in Kampala's Ntinda suburb. The incident occurred around midday when Jengo was returning to his office after purchasing lunch. Witnesses described several individuals intercepting him and compelling him into their car, a type of vehicle often referred to as a "drone" by Ugandans due to its swift departure, with one report specifying a Toyota Noah among two cars involved.

Jengo's personal belongings, including his cell phone and laptop, were left behind at his office, according to Joel Kafuko, Baba TV's head of news. His partner, Catherine Taidhkwiza, later discovered that a second phone belonging to Jengo was missing from their shared home and had been switched off, with police providing no updates on efforts to trace it. Kafuko stated that he was unaware of any threats or complaints related to Jengo's journalism prior to his disappearance.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has voiced significant alarm regarding the disappearance of **Eria Jengo**, urging Ugandan authorities to locate him and ensure his safety. Muthoki Mumo, CPJ's Africa Program Coordinator, emphasized the urgent need for answers for Jengo's family and colleagues, calling on authorities to establish his whereabouts, credibly confirm his safety, and hold those responsible for his disappearance accountable.

Jengo has worked for Baba TV for over four years, primarily covering security news. His recent reporting included topics such as Uganda's military cooperation with Rwanda and presentations by the defense minister to a parliamentary committee. This incident unfolds against a backdrop of historical allegations against Ugandan police and military for conducting enforced disappearances. Human Rights Watch has previously documented over 100 illegal detentions by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, with some detainees reportedly dying from torture and others remaining unaccounted for, highlighting a disturbing pattern.

In response to the **Ugandan journalist Eria Jengo disappearance**, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has formally lodged a complaint with the Uganda Human Rights Commission. The UJA characterized the incident as an "enforced disappearance by suspected security operatives," seeking official investigation and intervention into the matter.

Despite these calls for action, official responses have been notably absent. The CPJ attempted to solicit comments from government spokesperson Alan Kasujja and Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson Rachael Kawala on October 9 via messaging applications, but received no replies. This lack of communication from authorities further exacerbates concerns regarding transparency and the commitment to resolving the case of the **Baba TV journalist missing Kampala**.

The disappearance of **Eria Jengo** underscores significant risks for journalists in Uganda, particularly those covering sensitive security topics. This incident highlights the acute vulnerability of media professionals to arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances, creating a chilling effect on independent reporting.

The ongoing silence from official channels, coupled with the historical context of similar incidents, fosters an environment where fear and self-censorship can proliferate among the press. This situation necessitates heightened vigilance from human rights organizations and legal advisors, who must be prepared to assist individuals and media entities facing such circumstances. The formal complaint to the **Uganda Human Rights Commission** represents a critical step in seeking redress and accountability, emphasizing the urgent need to address the issue of **enforced disappearances Uganda journalists** face.

Lawyers advising media organizations, human rights groups, or individuals in Uganda should be acutely aware of the heightened risk of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly for journalists covering sensitive topics. This development underscores the need to monitor state actions for due process violations and to be prepared to assist clients facing similar circumstances, potentially through complaints to the Human Rights Commission.

Source: Facts reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists.