By Ahmed Senoga
Uganda Journalist Association (UJA) on Monday petitioned Uganda Media Council requesting them to immediately halt the exercise of accrediting journalists as per its one week Notice and subsequent extension of up to 31 December 2020, given to journalists covering elections.
According to the petition to the Chairperson of Uganda Media Council received on Monday this week, the Journalists president Mathias Rukundo asserts that the media council is using the aid of a draconian legislation such as the Press and Journalist Act to suffocate the press and impede free flow of information to the populace more so in the era of the so called “scientific campaigns”.
“Thus as the Uganda Association of Journalists, the said directives and guidelines passed by you are condemned in the strongest terms possible in as far as they are not only unconstitutional but are also illegal, suppressive, unfair, made in bad faith and intended to curtail free press, this is undemocratic and the same shall be opposed in order to promote free press and freedoms of expression which are envisaged in a free and democratic society.” Read the petition in parts
Journalists also challenged the composition of the Council saying that it’s not dully composed to execute its mandate.
“It is worth noting that the said Act came into force in 1995 yet up to-date the media council has not done its duty under the Act to establish the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda which is key in forming the composition of the council and its decision making organ. The Uganda Newspapers Editors and Proprietors Association does not exist as well to nominate a representative to the media council.
It is our contention thus that in light of the above; the Media Council is not fully constituted under the law therefore the same is not clothed with authority to make decisions affecting the practice of Journalism and mass media and any decisions made by the media council when not fully composed are made in breach of the Press and Journalist Act, Cap 105.” Read the petition parts
The journalist’s body also contend that the timing of the directives is suspect on the face given its unfair bearing.
“Without prejudice to the foregoing, it is our concern that the timing of these directives is suspect on the face of it in as far as no efforts have been made to engage and consult all stake holders before coming up with such over bearing and unfair directives since we
are at the peak of an electoral season which makes it more surprising that it is purporting to streamline media coverage of the general elections.” Reads the petition in parts
In the premises, we strongly implore the council to immediately halt the said illegal exercise of a purported accreditation of journalists as per its Notice and perform its mandate provided under the law of promoting and protecting free press and journalists from harassment and violence mated against them by security forces instead of colluding with them to further suppress and curtail free press and journalism in Uganda.
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