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KTN anchor-cum-reporter Joy Doreen Biira has been arrested by Ugandan forces while covering Kasese massacre.
Fighting erupted on Sunday November 28 when royal guards of the Rwenzururu kingdom tried preventing Uganda police and Uganda People Defense Force (UPDF) from raiding the king’s palace.
UPDF accused King Charles Wesley Mumbere of offering sanctuary to a separatist militia. Ugandan forces gave the king an ultimatum to release the militiamen before they finally stormed into his residence. 14 police officers and 41 rebels died in the clashes.
Joy Doreen Biira who is a Ugandan citizen and who also hails from Rwenzururu kingdom, was in Kasese covering the fight.
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She described what she witnessed during the bloody chaos on her Instagram post before she was arrested by Uganda authorities.
“And I was present and watching when half of the palace of the kingdom I'm from burned down in front of my own eyes. some of the parts burnt down held the stronger part of my heritage #mykingdom #myheritage” Joy Doreen Biira wrote.
KTN Managing Editor, Joy Ageyo, confirmed Biira’s arrested saying she was apprehended by Ugandan soldiers for taking pictures of the chaos.
“@KTNNews Journalist @JoyDoreenBiira arrested in Kasese by Uganda soldiers for taking pictures of the chaos. Unacceptable! #FreeJoyDoreen” Joe Ageyo tweeted.
Biira’s former colleague at KTN and also Ugandan citizen, Nancy Kacungira, also expressed shock following her arrest.
“At a loss for words. A journalist, nay - any citizen, should not be spirited away without process or explanation. #FreeJoyDoreen” Nancy Kacungira tweeted.
KTN and Biira’s workmates as well took to #FreeJoyDoreen to demand the release of the KTN reporter.
@KTNKenya: We must stand up against dictatorship and journalists' violation #FreeJoyDoreen #MorningExpressKTN
@AginaAby: My colleague @JoyDoreenBiira arrested in Kasese by Uganda soldiers. We are demanding for her immediate release now. #FreeJoyDoreen @KTNNews