The chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Media forum who doubles as Woman MP for Mpigi District Teddy Nambooze, has argued journalists to have a united front if they are to fight the challenges that affect their profession.
Nambooze made the advice officiating at the commemoration Function of the World Press Freedom Day that occurred on May 3, 2023 at Uganda Journalist Association (UJA) Headquarters in Kawempe Division.
She retaliated her earlier pledge of fighting any bad legislation that violate the rights of journalist and freedom of expression like the computer miss use Act that was trashed by court on grounds that it was contradicting with clause vi of the National constitution.
“ The Media fraternity is still disjointed something that greatly affect the pushing of the common agenda.’’ ‘’It’s high time that as media you get united and bury your differences such that you can ably fight for your rights and Freedom as a solid block.’’ Nambooze advised.
She also advised journalist to add on their skills such that they can have a better barging power with the employers and also be able to agitate for better working conditions.
She said that he has set up a secretariat office at Kingdom building in Kampala for coordinating all activities that relate to the media including a legal desk and she is now fighting to secure funds that can facilitate the office.
Pastor Frank Butaayi who also graced the function condemned the acts of corruption which is a very huge thorn in the government’s officials. He said that Uganda’s biggest challenge is dishonest which causes corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
He called upon all private Media House owners to pay journalists and he quoted the Deuteronomy 24:14-15 which talks about paying of wages to the workers by the employers and cautions on oppression of the hired servant who is poor and needy.
He pledged to talk to pastor Tom Mugerwa of Mutundwe Christian Fellowship who is alleged to have bought SEE TV such that its former employees are paid their salary earlier for the 10 months.
Sheik Umra Ssali the head of religious department at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) who also graced the function on behalf of the UMSC said that apologizing all the time after buttering and seriously injuring journalists while doing their work is seen to be perpetual and does not heal the wounds.
He called on government to forge a working relationship with the media such that journalist can do their job without being suppressed and intimidated. He argued government to organize trainings for the security personnel and journalists as well such that the two can find a working relationship without being enemies.
The president of UJA , Matthias Lukundo said that when journalist are buttered by the different security organs, they get compromised by their tormentors and this affects the legal route that is pursued by the Association to see that members get justice.
Lukundo also said that UJA is pursuing nine cases in courts of Law and two of these are about to be decided something that gives hope as far as fighting for justice for journalists is concerned.
By George Bukenya