Police commend media for promoting post-election reconciliation
North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema said the media helped to reconcile politicians after elections, regardless of their political affiliation.
North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema making a presentation during an engagement held at Lira City Hall. (Photos by Patrick Okino)
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The Uganda Police has commended the media, especially in Lango sub-region, for promoting reconciliation and unity in the post-election period.
North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema said the media helped to reconcile politicians after elections, regardless of their political affiliation.
"Journalists alongside cultural and religious leaders played a significant role in fostering peaceful co-existence by consistently advocating for peace and reconciliation," Okema said during an engagement with journalists at Lira City Hall last week.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), which organised the engagement, cautioned media practitioners in Lango sub-region against negative reporting on government programmes, urging them to instead encourage public participation in initiatives aimed at creating wealth and reducing household poverty.
The EOC Senior Communications and Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Muziransa, emphasised the importance of accurate and balanced reporting on government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme.
Journalists in a group photo after the engagement.
“It is your responsibility to create awareness about some of the Government programmes. However, many of you have decided not to report on them at all. Whether the Government does something good, you choose not to report it,” Muziransa said.
Muziransa also encouraged journalists to take advantage of the Parish Development Model, a multi-sectoral government strategy designed to transition millions of subsistence households into the money economy.
He noted that the EOC was established to combat discrimination and marginalisation and to advocate for affirmative action, adding that the media has a critical role in helping eliminate such challenges.
Lira Resident District Commissioner Lilian Eyal welcomed the engagement, noting that discrimination remains prevalent in society and that the media should collaborate with the EOC to address the problem.
She said the Government values the media highly, particularly in Lango sub-region, where journalists actively engage with public issues.
“There is still a lot of discrimination in society. The media should work closely with the EOC to ensure that this vice is eliminated,” Eyal said.
She also urged journalists to avoid negative reporting and to uphold professional standards by balancing their reporting responsibilities with the expectations of the public.