Exiled DR Congo Journalist Threatened, Robbed in Uganda, CPJ Says
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Ugandan authorities to ensure the safety of exiled Congolese journalist John Zihindula Bwirabwanda, whose home in Uganda was broken into by armed men who threatened to kill him over his social media posts, according to CPJ.
In a statement from its Kinshasa office, the New York-based press freedom organisation said armed intruders entered Bwirabwanda’s residence in Uganda and threatened his life, accusing him of posting news on social media. CPJ urged Ugandan police to investigate the incident thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice, and called on Kampala to provide the journalist with any protection he may require.
A journalist in exile
Bwirabwanda, who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been living in exile in Uganda. He is among a growing number of Congolese journalists who have left their homeland in recent years, often continuing to report from abroad through online platforms and social media channels that remain accessible across the region.
Press freedom context
DR Congo has long ranked among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with repeated reports of intimidation, arbitrary detention and killings linked to coverage of the country’s long-running conflicts and political tensions. Uganda, which shares a porous border with eastern DR Congo, hosts a large refugee population, including many Congolese nationals who have fled insecurity at home. The country generally enjoys a more open media environment than its neighbour, but journalists and activists operating there have also faced harassment.
CPJ regularly documents attacks on journalists across Africa and beyond, and has previously called on both Congolese and Ugandan authorities to address threats against members of the press. Press freedom advocates say exiled reporters remain particularly vulnerable because they often lack the institutional protections afforded to journalists working within their home countries.
Sources
This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.
