Madowo: I've been tear-gassed a lot but Uganda's mix was nasty

CNN Correspondent Larry Madowo/SCREENGRAB

CNN correspondent Larry Madowo has recounted a harrowing experience while covering a political rally by Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine,

In a social media post, he said the intensity of tear gas deployed by security forces was unlike anything he had encountered in recent years.

“I’ve been tear-gassed a lot in the last two years but Uganda’s mix was nasty!” Madowo said, reflecting on the disruption of the rally ahead of Uganda’s anticipated general elections.

The outspoken journalist, who frequently reports from protests and tense political situations across Africa, shared a video clip showing the chaotic moments as security forces dispersed the gathering.

In the footage, Madowo is heard saying, “tear gas in all directions,” as he struggles to continue reporting amid clouds of smoke, coughing and fighting to breathe.

Madowo noted that even police officers stationed near him appeared overwhelmed by the gas, underscoring its severity.

Behind him, the video shows a heavy presence of security personnel, including police and military officers, as demonstrators scatter.

“We only aired a portion in our Bobi Wine CNN story, but here’s the full clip and an extra angle,” Madowo said, explaining that the publicly shared footage went beyond what was broadcast on television.

The rally was part of Bobi Wine’s mobilisation efforts ahead of elections widely expected to be fiercely contested.

Bobi Wine, a former musician turned politician, has repeatedly raised concerns over what he terms as excessive use of force to suppress opposition activities.

Ugandan authorities, however, often maintain that such measures are necessary to preserve public order and prevent unrest.

Madowo, who has built a reputation for frontline reporting, has covered protests and political upheavals in countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.

His post emphasised that while exposure to tear gas has become an occupational hazard in his line of work, the Ugandan incident stood out for its intensity.

The journalist also drew attention to the scale of security deployment at the rally, describing an “army” of officers surrounding the scene.

Despite the ordeal, Madowo continued reporting until the conditions became unbearable, reinforcing his reputation for staying on the ground during volatile situations.

His account adds to a growing body of evidence highlighting the challenges journalists face while covering elections and opposition politics in parts of Africa.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has  previously expressed concern over the escalating crackdown on opposition groups and the media in Uganda ahead of next month’s general election.

Türk urged Ugandan authorities to respect and protect human rights before, during, and after election day, highlighting what he described as a disturbing pattern of repression.