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Journalists in Uganda have been urged to use solution journalism to help address the environmental crisis in the country.

This was during a national media dialogue at Makerere University to mark the 31st edition of World Press Freedom Day on Friday under the theme, “A press for the planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis.”

The Friday May 3^rd event held at the College of Engineering attracted over 100 guests.

Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, challenged individual journalists to tell all the stories around their environment.

Gerald Tenywa, a Vision Group veteran journalist among other panelists looking on at Makerere University during the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

“Everybody is blaming the media organizations, the institutions, what about the individual journalists? What is your responsibility? Why is it that you are able to tell a very good political story, a very good business story and you can’t tell a very good environmental story? Let us get journalists who are able to tell all the stories around our environment,” she said.

Charles Odoobo Bichachi, the Managing Editor at Monitor Publications, pointed out that household garbage disposal is one of the biggest environmental issues in Uganda which is everyone's responsibility.

“That is down to us. The media can play a role in helping people understand how garbage needs to be disposed of. Look at the issue of pampers, how are they disposed of; in a day, a baby will use three or four of them? Around this country, there are heaps of them thrown by the roadside. We should help tell people the best way to dispose of them. We need to use solution journalism to address the environmental crisis,” he said.

Gerald Tenywa, a Vision Group veteran journalist who has covered environment for over 20 years, observed that reporting stories based on facts is a game changer when reporting on climate change.

He explained that reporting the facts on environment will keep media houses from unnecessary legal battles. He also advised that the politics around stories should be left to editors who can handle the politics.

Tenywa also pointed out that environment management is about power relations and that the people who degrade the environment abuse the checks and balances that are supposed to check excess including destruction of the environment. 

Hailing News Vision for being at the forefront of reporting on the environment and climate change for decades, he urged the public to hold their leaders accountable.

"In case the checks and balances are not working the end result is environmental degradation and destruction," he cautioned, citing the impacts of climate change such as floods.

Crispin Kaheru, a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, said this day’s commemoration is timely to remind them all, especially those who wield the power of the pen that, with the right tools, choice of words, facts and support of one another, they have everything it takes to address environmental challenges that they are currently dealing with.

Crispin Kaheru, a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission remarking at Makerere University during the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

“It is equally important that duty bearers, especially those mandated with making appropriate laws and policies, recommit to equipping the journalism profession with all that is necessary to spotlight the environmental challenges. I reiterate our commitment to the protection and promotion of press freedom and freedoms of the media and to take forward any recommendations from this year’s commemoration activities,” he said.

Ministers express support  

Meanwhile, ICT minister Chris Baryomunsi and his presidency counterpart Milly Babalanda held a procession through the streets of Kabale district to mark the day.  They also planted trees to symbolize the government’s commitment to nurturing and preserving the environment while also advocating for the freedom of the press.

“On this World Press Freedom Day, we stand firm in our dedication to safeguarding the cornerstone of democracy; a free press which is empowered and fostered with an environment conducive to free expression,” Baryomunsi said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

They later presented certificates of appreciation to some journalists and environmentalists who have tirelessly championed both press freedom and environmental conservation.

“Their dedication serves as an inspiration for us all to continue striving for a more informed and sustainable world,” he added.

According to the United Nations, May 3 acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.

It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.