“…it felt like the end” Larry Madowo discusses Uganda’s political protests and why he thought

CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo has recounted a frightening ordeal after being caught in tear gas while covering political rallies in Uganda.

Madowo was in the country reporting on the campaign trail of opposition leader and presidential hopeful Bobi Wine ahead of Uganda’s general elections scheduled for January 2026. He said police responded to the rallies with force, deploying tear gas and whips against Wine’s supporters, quickly plunging the scenes into chaos.

“I Thought I Was Dying”

The veteran journalist described being exposed to what he termed an unusually harsh chemical agent, saying the experience was far more severe than anything he had previously encountered in the line of duty.

“Let me tell you, Maina, I thought I was dying,” Madowo said while recounting the incident.

He noted that the effects were so intense that even police officers nearby appeared to be struggling.

“Even policemen were suffering next to me,” he added, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the gas used.

Stronger Than Anything He’d Experienced Before

Madowo, who has covered protests and political unrest across several African countries, said he is no stranger to tear gas and has been exposed to it multiple times over the past two years.

However, he stressed that the substance used by Ugandan security forces was significantly more potent.

“I’ve been teargassed a lot in the last two years, but Uganda’s chemical was nasty,” he said.

Campaign Rallies Marked by Violence

According to Madowo, disorder has become a recurring feature of Bobi Wine’s campaign events. At one rally, tear gas was reportedly fired even before the opposition leader arrived.

He said he heard sounds resembling live gunfire as tear gas spread in all directions, making it difficult for journalists to operate safely.

“That was tear gas in every direction,” he said, coughing as he spoke.

Security officers were seen surrounding members of the press, creating what Madowo described as an intimidating environment. Due to the severity of the situation, only a portion of the unfolding chaos was aired during their live broadcast.

Madowo’s account underscores the dangerous conditions facing journalists and supporters alike as Uganda heads into a highly charged election season.