BY RONALD KISEKKA
ALTHOUGH legendary Daily Monitor photojournalist, Abubaker Lubowa was celebrating 12 years of photojournalism, fellow journalists were cautioned that they should prepare for the worst as the nation gears up for the 2026 general elections.
Lubowa, celebrated his 12 years in the field at the Uganda Law Society-ULS Headquarters at Kololo were he called upon security agencies in Uganda to create a conducive environment to carry out their duties. Lubowa told those that attended the event, that throughout his 12 year journey, Police, Military, SFC, UPDF and other security agencies have been a stumbling block to his calling.
The celebrated Photojournalist recalled the bad day he was abducted in a drone during the Kawempe North by Election which was worn by NUP Lawyer Erias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola. He says many security bosses accuse him of taking pictures that paint a bad image of the Museveni regime; such photos he exhibited at ULS include but not limited to the ones were exiled former Makerere Don, Dr. Stella Nyanzi was arrested by Police, UPDF whisking and arresting a rioting man on the streets of Kampala, the unforgettable day NUP supporters were seen swimming in a swamp near Kalangala before being arrested by the late Lt. Gen. Paul Loketch, Besigye being brought at Nakawa Court in a wheel chair among others.
MY MOTHER IS FEARING FOR MY DEATH
Lubowa also revealed that his mother is always sceptical if he will leave to see the next day, more so when he’s deployed in the field with rioters. At one time, he asked him, “Naye mwana wange, lwaki tebakutwala ku story za Museveni ezitaliimu kufa…” Literally meaning that they should always deploy Lubowa in story involving President Museveni so that he is not beaten by security.
He continued narrating that at one time he was banned from covering the old man with the hat for taking pictures which the presidential press team seemed not to like, but he has vowed to continue standing for the true.
Lubowa added that unlike cartoonist and some writers who assume stories, Photojournalists take real pictures without exaggeration, in otherwards, they tell the story as it is – and it is upon the concerned to work upon the issues in such photos.
WHY I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY DEAR WIFE AWAY FROM THE LIMELIGHT
Lubowa revealed that while celebrating 12 years, he decided to show the public his dear wife, since he has been fearing that bad hearted people might always do her any harm.
Lubowa thanked The Daily Monitor for trusting him in all these years, including deploying him to cover stories that a few fear; Mr. Allan Checuet, one of the editors at The Monitor, described Lubowa as a fearless journalist who has an eye for detail. He further thanked Uganda Law Society for organizing him the Photo Exhibition, since most places fear to organize such.
ROBERT SEMPALA: The Director of Uganda Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda advised journalists to mind about their lives and that no story is worth their lives. “We know they are expensive, but media houses should do what it takes to buy protective gears for journalists…” Sempala advised.
MALE MABIRIZI: City Lawyer Male Mabirizi used this event to warn journalists that no one will fight for their rights, unless themselves adding that world over and historically, rogue governments do not want to a free press. Mabirizi painted a picture that he has seen Lubowa for quite some good times, but he doesn’t take ordinary photos, but those that stand out from the rest and he asks the technique he uses!
The MC of the day was fellow journalist Solomon Sserwanja.
EXILED ULS PRESIDENT ISAAC SEMAKADDE
President Isaac Ssemakadde, and the brain behind the Radical New who was forcefully exiled in Germany, delivered his message through his deputy, Counsel Anthony Asiimwe, who gave the opportunity to journalist Derrick Wandera to deliver Ssemakadde’s message. He told Lubowa, who he described as his long-term friend to stand firm and not to accept the injustices seen in the Museveni-led government. Ssemakadde described Lubowa as an exceptional Photojournalist among a sea of them.
