Police has indicated to journalists that “we can do better together.”  

Police, according to the latest report by the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ) continue to lead in the violation of journalists' rights closely followed by the army and the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs).

Representing the Police spokesperson Fred Enanga at a media dinner organised by Uganda Journalist Association (UJA) at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Tuesday evening, Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire indicated that Police was doing more to train their officers on the rights of journalists.

“We want them to know that journalists are part of our society, journalists are part of the development of any country and democracy,” he said.

The dinner coincided with the World Press Freedom Day 2022 commemorated under the theme; “Journalism Under Digital Siege.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Even in the remarks of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) today congratulating you on the Press Freedom Day, there is an emphasis that is being done and I think we can do better together,” Owoyesigyire said.

Most journalists according to Owoyesisyire frustrate their own justice when they report violations and later backtrack either on grounds of being compromised or whatever.

“When a journalist loses momentum in following up such cases which are mostly criminal in nature even the prosecutors lose momentum in following up such cases,” he said.

He, however, insisted that individual officers who unleash violations against journalists in their course of work will be held accountable.