KAMPALA-As Ugandans observe the 21-days lockdown, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) is working to ensure that journalists affected by the extension are catered for association president Hajji Bashir Kazibwe has revealed.
According to a statement by Mr Kazibwe, ever since the outbreak of the first corona virus case in Uganda, journalists have been working relentlessly to serve the nation.
“As UJA, we don’t want this tireless effort to be compromised due to lack of essentials to serve your families and dependents,” he noted.
Mr Kazibwe revealed that the association has mobilised food relief items that will be extended to members that have been most affected by the lockdown.
He said media was listed among the essential service providers but unfortunately they learnt that some media managers sent journalists on forced leave while others were laid off completely because of the lockdown.
“Journalists, especially those who are paid per story, who continued with work still lack private means to source stories due to a ban on public transport,” said Kazibwe.
According to Mr Kazibwe, different circumstances forced the UJA leadership into reaching out to various insitutions, government, and well-wishers to support her members.
“In our first phase, UJA targets to extend these items to 100 journalists that are in dire need,” he noted.
He added that, “The food items for each journalist will be packed and delivered to their respective media houses as registered for pick up.”
For those who cannot move to their work stations, Mr Kazibwe has said security guidance will be sought on how to deliver packages.
He encouraged more people, private and government insitutions to stand with journalists in this critical time to enable them reach out to more scribes in the next phase.
“UJA applauds the government; the ministry of health, medical personnel, and all the front line workers for the selfless effort exhibited so far in fighting this pandemic in Uganda. Let’s continue to observe all guidelines issued by the ministry in order to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Uganda,” reads the statement in part.
Mr Kazibwe further appealed to journalists still on job to maintain the good work and keep the public off fake news regarding this disease with authentic, well-researched, and balanced reports.
