As Uganda’s election period fast approaching, authorities and advocates are amplifying calls to shield journalists and the public from violence and intimidation.
Speaking at the International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists, representatives from across civil society underscored the urgent need to safeguard press freedom, particularly for women journalists, and warned against treating elections as a high-stakes “do-or-die” event.
The Electoral Commission’s spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, expressed appreciation for journalists’ role in educating and informing the public, urging them to uphold professionalism and objectivity in their reporting to maintain public trust. “A truthful, credible media is essential for a transparent election process,” he said.
However, concerns over journalists’ safety loomed large at the event. Charity Ahimbisibwe, Chairperson of the Uganda Media Women’s Association, drew attention to the cyberbullying and sexism that female journalists frequently face, especially on social media.
The call for protection was echoed by Ito Misako from UNESCO East Africa, who highlighted the global scale of harassment and violence against journalists, noting that 14% of journalist deaths in recent years occurred in conflict zones.
The event emphasized that peace, security, and respect for Uganda’s constitutional freedoms must be at the forefront of the election season. Speakers encouraged Ugandan stakeholders to take concrete steps to uphold press freedom, protect journalists, and foster a secure electoral environment for all.
