BY TONY BAKWERANE & ALVIN OUMA
The Head of Office of the National Chairman (ONC) for the NRM party Hajat Hadijah Namyalo has said Journalists play a significant role in promoting government development programmes.
She said despite the noble role played by the media in informing, educating, entertaining and mobilizing citizens for national development, journalists are the most poorly paid professionals in Uganda.
Hajat Namyalo promised Journalists that as long as they adhere to ethical and responsible journalism, government would empower them and partner on.matters pertaining to promotion of welfare and safety of journalists, good press laws and media development .
She was speaking March 5, 2026 at give out ceremony of Ramadhan goodies to moslem Journalists at her offices in Kyambogo, Kampala.
She said government is going to empower journalists economically to ensure they are part and parcel of ongoing national development programmes.
Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) President Ms Evelyne Nalule applauded the NRM Chairman’s office for donating Ramadhan goodies to the journalists.
She said the donation is manifestation that government recognises and appreciates the role the media plays in national development.
Ms Nalule said government should fast – track on enactment of a Minimum Wage to reduce on exploitation of journalists by employers some of whom are foreign investors.
UJU General Secretary Mr Stephen Ouma Bwire called on government to empower feeble journalists and build their capacity so that they use a multiplicity of sources at their disposal to disseminate information to the public.
He said : ” A free, ethical, and accountable media is only crucial for Uganda’s development if the journalists are well paid and their welfare is good.”.
A cross section of journalists reported to Hajat Hadijah Namyalo that exploitation of journalists by employers and even some government officials, has gone beyond imagination.
They said the media covers events where government donates money in billions to beneficiaries and projects, but the people who disseminate the information remain paupers .
The journalists said when the media is well paid it operates responsibly and promotes transparency, addresses corruption , inequality in society and holds leaders accountable.
The ceremony was organised by Office of National Chairman of NRM in conjunction with the Uganda Journalists Union .
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