MUKONO – Journalists in Mukono District, under the umbrella of Uganda Journalists Network (UJN) have on Friday, May 3, asked the government to improve on their working conditions.
They voiced these grievances during the World Press Freedom Day celebrations at Mother’s Union in Mukono.
This comes at a time when journalists in Uganda are being assaulted and suspended from work for covering and broadcasting the riots and arrest of Bobi Wine.
The event organized by journalists in Mukono where they invited various leaders including the Mayor of Mukono Central Division, Mr. Jamil Kakembo who asked for proper working conditions of journalists so as to ensure that there is freedom of the press in the country.
The Mayor of Mukono Municipal Mr. George Kagimu thanked journalists upon reaching the day and the work they do.
“As you collect the news with whatever contacts you ought to make sure the information is the correct to avoid defamation because you will not be deemed trustworthy by your sources,” said Kagimu
While our reporter interacted with other journalists like Mr. Micheal Musisi, a journalist with UBC, who has been in the industry for over 34 years said that the in his years of practice there had never been such harsh conditions compared to today.
“The prevailing media freedom doesn’t exist today basing on the way journalists are being buttered, this is rather to much that journalists are treated in this harsh manner that has never been reported in the history of journalism in this country.” Mr. Musisi said.
He argued that all powers – at all levels – should take all steps available to harmonize the relationship between the media and journalists.
Mr. Hannington Kisakye, a Smart Tv reporter, – one of the journalists that was recently assaulted – asked other professions to respect journalism as a profession too.
As it is said that the payment of a journalist is low and one can not survive if they are not passionate about the job.
Ms. Madina Ssebyala of Bukedde newspaper asked the government to place a fixed salary for all media houses because journalists are underpaid.
