Namutumba: While presiding over the belated World Press Freedom Day for Namutumba Journalists Association (NAJA), Hon. Persis Namuganza, the state Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development wonders why journalists concentrate on disseminating negative stories against government. Not only government but the minister says reporters also attack mere individuals even without genuine reasons.
“You talked negative about me, and I kept quiet. You have destroyed people’s names over little money given by opportunities. But you even attack government that would have common agenda for you,” furious Namuganza said.
Namuganza believes journalists should put much energy on individual developmental projects to refrain from compromising on their profession. She says brown envelopes have jeopardized the ethical principles of journalism with media practitioners getting to a level of admitting a tune of shs5000 to disseminate defamatory stories against individuals.
“Government is responsible for you but where do you get energy to write about it negatively. We are lacking income generating activities, and we only end up abusing people for just mere data. In fact, if run out of data, you go to another person,” she added.
“You are apparently used because you don’t have money but if you have money, you will be a big person and you will never encounter such issues because we know you have money,” she stated.
Namuganza emphasised the relevance of social capital development, noting that journalists should remember the time after media as they will retire and live with the very people they used to abuse while on microphones.
She even decried the reporters who praised the speaker of parliament, Anita Annet Among when she attacked her predecessor, Rebecca Kadaga, describing them as enemies of Busoga.
“They are praising Anita Among who abused Kadaga just for money. Who will burry you? Will people come from Bukedea and burry you? Why attacking your fellow residents who will be the first respondents when you die?” she questioned, clarifying that she was straight on her issues, but people termed it fighting Kadaga.
Celebrated annually on May 3, the world press freedom day for journalists from Namutumba district was organized on Saturday May 25, 2024 at Namutumba Town Council headquarters.
According to Mr. Joseph Sooka, the chairperson of NAJA, the day aims to celebrate the rights, freedom and importance of a journalist who has performed their duties of information, education, sensitization, mobilization and entertainment among others.
Mr. Sooka explained the difficulties faced by reporters while in the field, saying many have been injured in their line of duty.
“Although Namutumba has never registered cases of injuries, our colleagues from different areas like Jinja, Kampala, Masaka, and other areas have been injured with others losing lives in their line duty. We commend the police chief in Namutumba to ensuring security to us, reporters,” said Md Sooka.
“We, however, pay tributes and sympathise with colleagues who have been challenged and affected by police irritating acts of firing teargas and detaining some reporters who would merely be practising their professional duties. Our colleague Racheal Wambuzi, a Jinja based reporter attached to Uganda Radio Network was this very week hurt by a teargas canister allegedly flung by a police officer during Bobi Wine’s processions to Kamuli while some our colleagues from Masaka we also assaulted by Bobi Wine’s security guards in Lwengo last week. We really condemn that and demand justice for those informed friends,” he noted.
Sooka stated that Namutumba based reporters embarked on the journey of a sustainable environment following this year’s theme that emphasises the fight for environmental crisis.
“We have today planted 50 trees in this town. This we believe that it will not only combat the environmental issues but also providing food to our people since only fruits trees have been planted. In addition to planting trees, we have cleaned the streets of Namutumba Town to ensure good sanitation,” he said.
As an association, the reporters call for government support to their several initiatives and projects that could pull them out of poverty. They say they not only be advocating for others but for themselves for common development since they have families.
“We therefore seek support in getting government funds through trending programs like Emyooga and PDM to facilitate our agricultural projects of piggery and poultry. In fact, even you hon Minister as individual, you can possibly render in your financial or any other support to transform your journalist of Namutumba,” Sooka said.
But Minister Namuganza questioned the whereabouts of the Emyooga funds meant for journalists in Namutumba. She instructed police to probe the matter.
Jane Namukuve the Namutumba district community liaison officer (CLO) who represented the district police commander (DPC) praised journalists for mobilizing the community member for government programmes, citing the recent police recruitment where reporters attracted many youths.
