Uganda says it has no regrets for deporting foreign journalists.
Margaret Evans, a correspondent of Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) based in London, on Sunday expressed shock about her team’s deportation from Uganda.
“Ugandan gov’t avoiding outside scrutiny of Jan elections already,” said Evans on her Twitter handle, adding, “We were deported Friday even though we had official media credentials.”
Evans’ crew members who were also kicked out of Uganda include Lily Martin and J F Bisson.
Evans, who boasts more than 7 years of experience in covering the Middle East, said her team was detained for ten hours “before being put on a plane.”
In response, government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo wished the journalists good riddance.
“Do we really need you to scrutinize our electoral process to qualify as credible?” said Opondo.
“Uganda reserves the right to admit foreign persons including journalists. Good stay where you are.”
The development has attracted criticism from friends and employees of CBC.
CBC Editor-in-chief, Brodie Fenlon tweeted: “Freedom of the news media to gather stories and report without harassment or intimidation is a foundational value of democratic societies. This incident with our team is a reminder of how precarious these principles are around the world.”
However, a one Matia Mubangizi had no kind words for Evans.
“Well, I think the most important election in the world is the US election that is yet to come out with a winner. I suggest that you save your energy and time to first sort out @realDonaldTrump & @JoeBiden ! When we need your assistance, we shall invite u! #StopClassMonitorAttitute.”
The incident comes against the backdrop of a heated presidential campaign in which President Museveni is facing two retired generals and a popular musician for the highest political seat in the land.
President Museveni has since accused “foreigners” of backing singer-turned-politician, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine in the presidential race and vowed to “defeat” any attempts to meddle in the country’s internal politics.
Bobi Wine has since denied serving interests of foreign groups.
Government has previously deported suspected strategists of Bobi Wine including Canadian Public relations guru and Whitehead Communications founder, Anne Whitehead.
Jackie Wolfson, the founder of humanitarian group, Shule Foundation, was also accused of hiding behind the non-profit organisation, to fund and promote Bobi’s political campaigns.
Both Whitehead and Wolfson denied the accusations against them.
