World Press Freedom Day 2023: The chairperson of Uganda Parliamentary Forum on the Media, Hon Teddy Nambooze’s message

This day has come at a time when the state of media rights continues to deteriorate at a very terrible rate amidst efforts by both government and civil society yet we need to observe a free press to avoid misinformation and biased reporting.

With key stakeholders in advancing press freedom in our country’s media sector at Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) home in Kawempe today to commemorate the day, I called upon media personnel to do their mandate in a patriotic manner by avoiding reports that only taints the image of our country but also to report on positive developments following the ethical code of their profession.

I highlighted a number of issues that need to be responded to with immediate effect inclusive of;

1. Thinking about reconsidering the Minimum Wage Bill to address the gross violations of economic rights.
2. The cases highlighted above be handled expeditiously to enable the aggrieved individuals accorded justice.
3. The Ministry of internal affairs should consider organizing refresher courses about human rights for all security officers to remind them that their duty is to observe security not harm citizens.
4. The procedure for a person to establish a media house need to be beefed up, to ensure that proprietors are guided and have the capacity to pay off their employees.

We were joined by religious leaders led by Rev. Fr. Charles Michael Kimbowa from Jinja Kalooli Parish, Sheikh Imran Ssali the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council head of religious affairs, Bishop Frank Butayi from Restoration Assembly Church, Nakulabye who led journalists into prayers. These National prayers for journalists have been organised by Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) at their offices at Keti Falawo in Kawempe, Kampala.