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'The situation here is tense': Ugandan journalist continues reporting after being arrested on live TV

A Ugandan journalist who was arrested on live television has gone viral after continuing to report on political affairs from inside a police station holding cell.

NBS correspondent Elijah Turyagumanawe was reporting from outside the home of the Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye with several other journalists when police accused them of ‘inciting violence’ and arrested them.

NBS news reporter Elijah Turyagumanawe. Photo: Facebook
NBS news reporter Elijah Turyagumanawe. Photo: Facebook

“The situation seems very tense here,” Mr Turyagumanawe said during the live cross to the studio.

“Police is trying to move away the journalists.”

Mr Turyagumanawe and his camera crew continued to record as they were being ordered into a police vehicle and driven to the station.

“Just like you can see, the situation here, all our viewers on NBS, we’ve been put on the police pick-up and police have not given any standing reason as to why journalists should be treated this way," he said.

Mr Turyagumanawe maintained his professionalism during his arrest on live TV. Photo: Supplied
Mr Turyagumanawe maintained his professionalism during his arrest on live TV. Photo: Supplied

“They are accusing us of inciting violence… but how true is that? We are only trying to serve the state and giving information the way it happens.”

The reporter maintained his professionalism while inside the busy police station and even kept his microphone on as he was put behind bars.

“Right now you might not be seeing me but I’ve been put inside the cells,” he can be heard saying. He continued to report until the end of the segment.

The NBS slogan is ‘Live. Anywhere. Always’ – words that this young journalist certainly lived up to.

The journalist was locked inside a holding cell - but that didn't stop his political report. Photo: Supplied
The journalist was locked inside a holding cell - but that didn't stop his political report. Photo: Supplied

The reporters were gathered outside the politician’s home, which was under police siege at the time, to report on updates in the lead up to the country’s election.

Is it believed all of those who were arrested were released later the same day.

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News break – April 1