By Kabuye Ronald
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has issued a blistering condemnation of the decision by the administration of Parliament of Uganda to indefinitely bar journalists from the Nation Media Group (NMG), which operates NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor from covering parliamentary proceedings.
In a strongly worded statement released by UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda, the association described the move as a “blatant violation of the constitutional right to freedom of the press and access to information”, citing Articles 29(1)(a) and 41 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
“Parliament, as the people’s House, is a public institution funded by taxpayers and must remain open to scrutiny and coverage by all accredited media platforms without discrimination or intimidation,” Kirunda said.
UJA decried the decision as a deliberate attempt to silence independent journalism, stifle transparency, and shield public officials from accountability—actions that the association says directly undermine democracy and good governance.
The statement also highlighted what UJA described as an increasing pattern of press freedom violations by senior government officials.
Last month, the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine allegedly attacked Galaxy Radio-TV journalist David Mwesigwa after he reported to President Museveni about poor service delivery in health facilities across Mukono, Kayunga, and Namuganga.
According to UJA, the Prime Minister ordered Mwesigwa’s immediate arrest—a move the association says reflects a growing intolerance toward journalists exposing corruption and inefficiency in government.
In its statement, UJA made several urgent demands to the Office of the Speaker and the Parliamentary administration including: Immediate and unconditional lifting of the ban on NMG journalists, a formal clarification from the Speaker’s Office to dispel speculation about its involvement and to restore public confidence in Parliament, and Adoption of clear, transparent, and non-discriminatory media access policies that uphold journalistic independence.
UJA warned that failure to act on these demands would compel the association to announce further action in defense of press freedom.
Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to defending Uganda’s media space, UJA vowed to continue standing with all journalists working under “increasingly hostile and restrictive conditions.”
“We wish to remind the leadership of Parliament that journalists do not cover Parliament as a favor but as a constitutional duty to inform citizens about decisions that affect their lives and their country,” the statement read “Freedom of the press is not negotiable.”
