By Our Reporters
The National Mechanism on Safety of Uganda Journalists in conjunction with the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO organized stakeholders’ workshop on journalists’ safety on July 20, 2023 at Mbarara’s Oxford hotel. Members discussed Freedom of Expression, Access to Information, and Safety of journalists.
The workshop which was organized with support from the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, drew participants from the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force, political leaders, religious leaders, city authorities, trade unionists, media owners and journalists, among others. Stakeholders noted there has been a growing trend of harassment and intimidation of journalists during demonstrations or even during electioneering where the media is attacked with impunity. However there were contradictory reports on the manner in which journalists are treated by security agencies in Mbarara city. Local authorities and security agencies said they have tried tirelessly to defend and promote media freedom in the city.
But journalists opposed the claims saying some journalists are intimidated not to cover opposition groups or people with divergent views. The objective of the workshop was to create awareness and foster mechanism on how to dialogue on matters pertaining to safety of journalists by ensuring Prevention of Crimes against journalists, Protecting journalists and Prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against journalists. The Secretary General National Commission for UNESCO Ms Rosie Agoi said the project under implementation is dubbed” Promotion of Freedom of Expression, Safety of journalists and Access to Information in Uganda. She said the objective of the project is to create awareness among key stakeholders on the importance of safety of journalists and fighting .issues of impunity. stakeholders on the importance of safety of journalists and fighting .issues of impunity. “
We aim to build the national capacity to promote safety of journalists and mitigate issues of impunity for crimes committed against journalists and other media workers,” She said. Mbarara Resident City Commissioner Mr James Mwesigye said they are enjoying cordial relationship with the media which has helped in ensuring peace and development. He said as authorities in Mbarara city they are accessable to the media and they offer information to the journalists to disseminate to the public . ” We have allowed the media to access us and obtain information required to disseminate to the public,” he said. But Mr Mwesigye cautioned journalists against irresponsible conduct of the media promoting hate speech and divisions under the pretex of enjoying press freedom. But former legislator in Rwampara Constituency, Mbarara city and now High Court Advocate Hon Vincent Kyamadidi said the media in Mbarara is being gagged. He said the media is exercising self censorship in bid to evade the wrath of local authorities which have created an impression that there are no voices of decent or people with divergent views.
” Journalists in Mbarara seem to be suffering silently from intimidation and have resorted to exrcising self censorship,” he said. Hon. Kyamadidi, who popularly known as a controversial former legislator, has now settled in the High Court as an advocate. He announced probono services for feeble journalists as his contribution in the promotion for fostering freedom of expression and press freedom in Mbarara city. Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) General Secretary Mr Stephen Ouma Bwire said under the National Mechanism on Safety of Journalists key stakeholders in the media industry are lobbied to a dialogue on matters pertaining to safety of journalists. He said there have been growing cases of violence and repression directed at members of the media by security agencies and ordinary individuals in the counrse of their work. He said:” Members of the security agencies who commit crimes against journalists shall be prosecuted in their individual capacities”. ” Under the mechanism we address Prevention of crimes against journalist, protection of journalists and Prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against journalists ,” he said. Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF Division Commander in Mbarara Col Armstrong Sam Ndugu said as the army they attach great importance on the work of the media. He said they have agreed to organise periodical workshops for journalists as part of their programme aimed at public relations promotion.
UNESCO official Ms Pauline Achola (left) and Mbarara RCC Mr James Mwesigye
Participants at Journalists’ safety workshop at Oxford hotel n Mbarara
Cross section of participants during journalists’ safety workshop at Oxford hotel
He said they have not had problems with the media in Mbarara and its environs but added that members of the media ought to safeguard the relations and exhibit a high degree of responsibility that promotes peace, stability and development in the country. Head of Journalism and Mass Communication at Uganda Christian University(UCU) Dr Emily Maratctho and Chief trainer , called on participants to use freedom of expression which is one of the fundamental freedoms, to advance developments in society. She said Freedom of expression is not a monopoly of media practitioners alone but is a constitutional right for all stakeholders and individuals in the Ugandan society. Dr Maractho advised journalists to take safety as a significant component in their profession and to always they adhere to code of ethics .
“You must always remember that Freedom of Expression is not a preserve for the media but a constitutional right for all individuals. Ensure that you practice journalism following professional code of ethics,” She said.Some members of the media complained of intimidation and harassment by security agencies and local authorities especially during General elections■
