Ugandan journalists used the commemoration of the May 3rd 2025 World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) to issue a stern warning with a plan of not covering the forthcoming 2026 election should their safety concerns remain un addressed.
The concerns arise out of the bloody assault of the journalists by the members of the security forces during the March 13 ,2025 Kawempe North parliamentary by election that left 36 of them with some of their organization drivers physically and psychologically impaired, according to the report findings by the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA).
From Left to Right: EC Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi and UJA President Mathias Rukundo
The security forces included the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force (UPF) under the Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) outfit.
During the Public Press Discourse (PPD) organized by the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) on Safety of the journalists, journalists Huzaifah Mugerwa (Success Media) and Miracle Ibra (Top TV) notable among those that fell victims, shared their ordeal, recounting how the brutality occasioned on them has adversely affected their life to date before they could make repeated calls for action against the perpetrators that justice may prevail.
Emmanuel Kirunda, UJA Secretary General giving his speech
The Public Press Discourse which was held at Emerand Hotel in Kampala saw the representation of the government agency the Electoral Commission (EC) civil society organizations, the Defenders Protection Initiative (DPI) and the United Nation Associations of Uganda (UNAU).
UJA secretary general Emmanuel Kirunda noted that journalists are not enemies of the state to be subjected to intermittent harassment, saying they are simply making their contribution to the national development as enshrined under Article 29 of the Constitution.
Speaking during the same Press Discourse, UJA president Mathias Rukundo tasked the Electoral Commission to explain why it had not boldly come out as an electoral process manager with safety assurance to the journalists, considering the untold violence that was unleashed on journalists during the Kawempe North parliamentary by election.
It is on that note that he challenged the journalists to consider not covering the 2026 election (s) unless the EC has given them assurance on their safety.
Rukundo also used the WPFD commemoration to call for a sincere and comprehensive conversation from the EC and other stake holders about the safety of journalists, ahead of the 2026 election (s).
The Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) president Moses Alisayed Lubega who represented the sports journalists under scored the need for journalist’s protection regardless of specialization since any violation of their rights and freedoms impacts the media landscape.
EC Responds to the Journalists Safety Concerns.
The Electoral Commission head of communication Julius Mucunguzi who was one of the panelists, in response called for involvement by the journalists in the election, noting that the media plays a pivotal role in the process. “We cannot organize free and fair elections without the full involvement of journalists”, Mucunguzi emphasized.
The EC communications boss called for dialogue with all stake holders including the security forces; police and the military, emphasizing that the engagements can bear results. “The power of dialogue should not be discounted” Mucunguzi observed.
Civil Society Organization Players Weigh in.
The Defenders Protection Initiative (DPI) communications executive Noelyn Nassuuna who was another panelist encouraged journalists to have good ethical AI standards that they may figure out ways of fighting mis information and disinformation that impacts the professional and credible journalism.
Nassuuna highlighted threats against critical journalism with other citizenry digital freedoms and rights, which necessitates the need for more knowledge about the safe security digital measures to help them navigate those digital safety concerns.
The concerns which arise out of the reported government move to procure a digital media tracking tool have a lot to do with privacy, surveillance and consequences on digital civic space according to the digital freedoms advocates.
The DPI communications executive stressed the need by the journalists to start using the safe security digital tools such as Proton Drive, Iron Que USB Drives, Vera quid and Tessellate, to help them gather information as evidence while in the field as and when they are under attack.
Veteran journalist Richard Baguma and the United Nation Associations of Uganda (UNAU) secretary general
Veteran journalist Richard Baguma and the United Nation Associations of Uganda (UNAU) secretary general who was a third panelist, encouraged journalists to always be mindful of enhancing and maintaining unity amongst themselves through their umbrella association UJA, to enable them confront and overcome the ever-emerging challenges against their profession with one voice.
Baguma cited poor welfare of the journalists from poor remuneration as one of safety concerns that need to be addressed. “I have been at 111 radio stations across the country but 50% of the journalists therein lacks appointment letters and contract”, He stressed.
UNAU’s secretary general also used the WPFD commemoration to rally journalists take firm and deliberate stance against poverty from amongst selves and other communities since it was adversely impacting the efforts of advocating press freedom.
