MEDIA SIEGE: UK Issues Travel Warning For Uganda

The government of the United Kingdom has issued a travel warning for its citizens asking them to exercise caution and avoid all demonstrations, and to continue monitoring travel advice following yesterday’s skirmishes as police clashed with journalists protesting the closure of the Pepper Publications and Monitor Publications last Monday.

 

Al Jazeera journalist, Malcolm Webb (R) runs for safety after being tear-gassed outside Daily Monitor offices in Kampala on May 28

We advise all British Nationals to exercise caution and avoid all demonstrations, and to continue monitoring travel advice,” the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said in a statement on Tuesday night.
Pundits say the closure of the newspapers could affect tourism revenues as tourists from western countries shun Uganda for fear of violence. An estimated 15,000 British nationals visit Uganda every year.
The statement adds; “There were demonstrations outside the offices of the Daily Monitor newspaper in the Namuwongo area of Kampala on 28 May. There are reports that tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse protesters.
Several activists and journalists were tear-gassed as they challenged government’s decision to keep a lock on Daily Monitor and Red Pepper offices.