Digitaltalk Media journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose was on Sunday reportedly picked up by individuals who identified themselves as security operatives. Mukose, one of the petitioners in the recently nullified Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act 2022, was reportedly taken shortly after appearing on a political talk show on Metro FM 90.8, located on Martin Road in Old Kampala. Witnesses said plain-clothed men grabbed him as he exited the radio station and forced him into a waiting vehicle before driving off. “They were in a van outside the premises. As he was leaving the radio station gate, about five men jumped out, grabbed him and pushed him into the vehicle. He tried to ask who they were, where they were taking him and why, but they only said they were security personnel. They drove off at high speed,” a witness said. Mukose’s lawyer, Kato Tumusiime, said operatives believed to be from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) later took him to his home in Lukuli-Nanganda, where they conducted a search and seized electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phones. “They moved him around town and later detained him at Old Kampala police station. But no charge has been placed against him; they only said they’ve opened a general inquiry,” Tumusiime said. Mukose is among activists, lawyers and journalists whose petition led to the nullification of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act 2022 earlier this month. He has also hosted opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye on several political talk shows on Digitaltalk Media platforms. Tumusiime linked the arrest to Mukose’s role in the petition and his criticism of the law. “I strongly believe it’s related to that. That’s why the only things they took from his house were communication gadgets. I know they’re still looking for other charges they can bring, because at the moment they can’t use the nullified law,” he said. The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) condemned the incident, describing it as an attack on press freedom and journalist safety. “We demand the unconditional release of Mukose Anthony and call on the relevant authorities to explain his abduction. We also urge security agencies to uphold the rule of law and protect journalists’ rights and safety,” the association said in a statement. On March 17, the Constitutional Court nullified the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act 2022, ruling that it had been passed without the required parliamentary quorum and in violation of the Constitution. The Attorney General subsequently suspended enforcement of the affected provisions.The post Digitaltalk Media journalist Mukose arrested appeared first on The Observer.