Uganda Journalists Union-Who we are..

The Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) is the sole Trade Union of all unionisable journalists in Uganda. It was officially registered by the Commissioner for Labour Dr David Ogaram on June 25, 2006 as the 22nd Labour Union registered in the country under the revised Labour Unions Act 2006.
UJU a non – government organization, non – political and is against any form of discrimination based on race, sex, political affiliation, religious discord or geographical and cultural setting. Its main roles can be summed up as Defenders, Advocates and Promoters of Press Freedom, Labour Rights and Human Rights.
Membership is open to all professional journalists in Uganda who spend at least 60 percent of their time practicing as Journalists and so derive at least60 percent of their income from practicing as Journalists.
UJU has a membership of over 800 active registered journalists spread out in all the regions in the country in media houses that include the Print and Electronic Media plus News Agencies and Public Relations firms.
Uganda Journalists Union is affiliated to the Brussels based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and locally with the Central Organization of Free Trade Unions (COFTU).

UJU has a 21 – member National Executive Committee (NEC) that is broad – based with each region being headed by a UJU Regional Coordinator. The UJU Executive has : President - Ms Lucy Anyango Ekadu (Voice Media Group), Vice President - Mr Draga Osmana (The New Vision Group), General Secretary - Mr Stephen Ouma Bwire ( The Workers Eye Magazine), Assistant General Secretary – Juliet Kasirye (New Vision Newspaper), National Treasurer - Kenneth Arereng (Metro FM Radio), Deputy Treasurer – Lydia Nakiguli (Bukedde Television), Organising Secretary - Joel Ogwang (The Patriot), Gender Coordinator - Zurah Nakabugo (The Observer), Deputy Gender Coordinator – Olivia Irumba Katushabe , Education Secretary – Mr Julius Odeke ( Xhinua), Deputy Education Secretary – Ms Rose Namale (Radio One FM).
Regional Coordinators: Northern - Francis Ogema (LUJA/Lira), Far East -Emmanuel Sanya(IUIU Radio/Mbale), Eastern – Moses Lwochaza (Kiira FM/Jinja), Central – Phillip Corry (100 Golf/The Workers Eye/Kampala), Western – Mr Felix Basiime (Daily Monitor/Fort Portal), West Nile – Mr Clement Aluma (Daily Monitor/Arua).


. Trustee - Michael Wakabi (Bureau Chief The EastAfrican newspaper), Ms Nancy Obita and Goodluck Musinguzi UJU raises money through members’ contributions in form of Membership and Subscription fees plus donations and grants from donors and partners locally and internationally. Membership Fee is Uganda Shillings 50,000/- paid once in five years and Uganda shillings 60,000/- subscription paid annually. UJU Membership includes Freelance journalists, writers, Sub – Editors, Assistant Editors, Working Editors, News reporters, Press Photographers, Cinematographers, journalists working for News and Advertising Agencies. Membership is of three categories, Full members, Associate and Life Members. At least 60 per cent of the entire UJU membership countrywide is Freelance category. Objectives of UJU include among others:-
(a) Make every endeavor to obtain just and proper rates of wages through Collective Bargaining, proper working hours and other conditions of employment, to negotiate and promote the settlement of disputes arising between employees and employers by conciliation, arbitration or otherwise, and generally safeguard the interest of the members.
(b) To defend and extend the Freedom of the Press in the collection of information, freedom of opinion and comment, and freedom in the dissemination of news and respect for equality and human rights. Attain equality of status for all working journalists regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, language, religion and age.
(c) To assist members in securing training and employment opportunities.
(d) To assist in funeral expenses of a member of his/her immediate dependants, relieve in sickness, accident, disablement, unemployment and victimization among others.
(e) Raise the standard of journalism by adopting a Professional Code of ethics by association with other organized groups working for similar objectives within and without Uganda.
Affiliated to; Uganda Journalists Union International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) and National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU)

VISION To become a leading Journalists’ Trade Union in Africa

MISSION STATEMENT To defend and promote an Independent, Ethical and Professional Media that safeguards Press Freedom and Labour Rights of Journalists