Journalists assaulted, internet blackout ordered ahead of Uganda elections

Ugandan journalist Ssematimba Bwegiire lost consciousness immediately after a security officer electrocuted him with a stun gun and pepper-sprayed him in the mouth. But he did not report the incident, reflecting widespread disillusionment among the media about authorities’ commitment to press freedom in elections on January 15.

Bwegiire, a reporter with privately owned Radio Simba, was covering a rally by the opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine...