Report professionally, Museveni tells journalists

President Yoweri Museveni has asked journalists to report professionally to be able to contribute towards the social-economic and transformation of the country.

Speaking during the celebrations to commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday, the President in his speech read by vice president, Edward Ssekandi said for Uganda to transform from a peasant country to a middle income one, there is need for media practitioners to partner with government in informing the public with right information.

"To participate in the social-economic transformation of the country, media practitioners need to provide accurate, informative and educative information that is balanced, fair, truthful without bias," said Museveni.

He further asked journalists to be responsible, patriotic and professional in their daily work of educating, informing and entertaining the public.

"Desist from falsehoods, get facts to the information you want to give the public before disseminating the information," advised the president.

The event started with a march from City Square to Railway Grounds with the minister of Information and National Guidance Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, as the chief walker accompanied by Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson.

Vice President Edward Ssekandi delivers his remarks while Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi (R) and Lt Col Paddy Ankunda look on. Photo by Miriam Namutebi

(L-R) UBC MD Winston Agaba, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, UJA president Robert Kagolo and Lt Col Paddy Ankunda during the walk. Photo by Miriam Namutebi

This  year's celebrations are under the theme; "Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms with a focus on: Freedom of Information and Sustainable Development, protecting press freedom from censorship and surveillance overreach and ensuring safety of journalists online and offline". 

The journalists represented by Robert Kagolo, the president of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) spoke with concern over the little or no pay at all for some journalists and mistreatment from Uganda Police Force.  

The journalists asked government to set a minimum wage in which payment of journalists is well defined to avoid exploitation.

In response to their concerns, Ssekandi said he had taken note of their grievances and would inform the President for action.

Museveni also asked journalists to take advantage of government's programmes like Youth Livelihood Funds, women funds and Operation Wealth Creation to earn extra income and improve on their livelihoods.