By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The president of Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) Mathias Rukundo has urged journalists in Uganda to identify their enemies who violate their rights and act swiftly and accordingly to regain the media space.
Mathias Rukundo made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference with the Uganda Human Rights Commission UHRC, Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) among others ahead of the World Press Freedom Day due on the 3rd, May, 2020 which will run under the theme “Information as a public good” at ICT hub Nakawa, Kampala.
Rukundo asserted that there various enemies fighting the fraternity, UJA and journalists within and out hence a call for joint efforts to act accordingly and defeat them in order to regain the media space and a conducive working environment.
He condemned the actions of Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) errant officers who battered journalists in Mityana and Wakiso districts saying that it brings out the reason why journalists should mourn instead of celebrating their day.
“We need to discuss issues of human lives that are getting endangered because of executing their lawful duties first before anything else. I also ask fellow scribes to front the life of journalists, their rights in regards to their work before anything else.
I call upon everyone to join us so that we have a strong voice against security agencies that violate journalist’s rights since it seems the voice comes out at a low tone. And once we achieve journalist’s rights then it will be easy to secure other people’s rights” said Rukundo
The acting Uganda Human Rights Commission Chairperson Dr. Katebalirwe Amooti Wa Irumba called upon journalists and the general public to enthusiastically defend, protect and promote media freedoms and media practitioners to always practice professional, responsible and constructive journalism.
He further asked the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs and parliament to review the current legislation with a view to empower journalism professional bodies to discipline their members for professional misconduct and also the security agencies to always investigate their errant officers who allegedly violate the rights of journalists and also discipline the culprit.
Meanwhile, UPPA called upon government to allocate money in the national budget to media houses in order to enable them accord journalists a good pay just as it funds political parties.
He also urged members of parliament not allow the proposed 12% tax on the internet data since it will greatly affect information floor.
