Roundup: Uganda registers progress in press freedom though uncertainties remain

KAMPALA, May 3 (Xinhua) -- As the world commemorated World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, journalists in Uganda started with a walk in the capital Kampala to highlight the successes and challenges they face in executing their responsibilities.

Politicians, civil servants, diplomats among others joined in the commemoration held under the global theme, 'Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law'.

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga said the House was doing its part to enact laws that ensure the media operate in a free environment.

"On the legislative side, we have done our part. We have put into place Acts to protect the rights of media," Kadaga said. She said Parliament will continue to make sure the press enjoys its freedom.

Ofwono Opondo, the government spokesman, said the liberalization of the media that allowed several private players in the sector since the early 1990's is an acknowledgement of the role of media.

Opondo, who represented Frank Tumwebaze, minister of information, said the media holds those in leadership accountable and also cements democracy.

"As a member state of the UN, Uganda has registered tremendous progress towards building a free, professional and vibrant media, particularly in the last 24 years," he said.

"Indeed, the Fourth Estate has grown in stature, taking center stage as freedom of expression becomes a key global benchmark for democracy and accountability," Opondo added.

Activists and reports by nongovernmental organizations however indicate that although the country enjoys relative press freedom, there are fears that what has been achieved can easily be reversed.

The 2018 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders ahead of the May 3 commemoration, showed that Uganda moved down five places from the previous year to 117 out of 180 countries.

The Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda (HRNJ-U) Press Freedom Index Report also issued ahead of the commemoration, showed that in 2017, there were 113 violations against journalists involving both state and non-state actors.

The violations range from assault, denial of access to news scenes, malicious damage of journalists' equipment, abduction, as well as unlawful arrests and detention.

Some media houses have suffered close-downs and in some cases specific programs that are considered offensive by state agencies were banned.

Mogens Pedersen, Danish Ambassador to Uganda, who spoke at the launch of the HRNJ-U report on April 27, said attacks on the media have a chilling effect on the willingness and ability of journalists to cover sensitive issues that may be relevant from a human rights and governance perspective.

"We call upon the respective state agencies to promote media freedom and pluralism by avoiding unwarranted interference with impartial and critical reporting," he said.

"The Uganda Police Force and the army should work towards restoring confidence among journalists by punishing the errant security officials implicated in attacking journalists and ensuring the safety and security of journalists rather than traumatizing or attacking them," he added.

While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs last month, Police Chief Okoth Ochola regretted the action by some of his officers who rough-up journalists.

He urged journalist to seek redress in courts of law since assault is a criminal act.

"An assault is a criminal act; whoever assaults a journalist commits a crime which has to be investigated," Ochola told the committee, days after journalists who were covering a trial of a senior police officer were beaten up.

Activists also argue that journalists must also exercise professionalism.

Uganda Human Rights Commission, a state run agency, argues that there is growing incidence of low professionalism among media practitioners which has in some cases led to irresponsible, inaccurate and unbalanced media reports that have had the potential to excite and inflame rather than inform.

The media should also always remember that media freedoms too come with duties and responsibilities which require them to practice responsible journalism at all times, the Commission said. Enditem