Namuganza pledges land and capital to Namutumba journalists

By Joseph Sooka

Namutumba: State Minister for Housing and Bukono County Member of Parliament, Hon. Princess Persis Namuganza, has pledged funds to help Namutumba journalists acquire land and establish income-generating projects aimed at improving their livelihoods.

Namuganza made the pledge during World Press Freedom Day 2026 celebrations organised by the Namutumba District Journalists Association (NDJA) at Namutumba Town Council Headquarters.

The minister’s message was delivered by Yusufu Dabada, who represented her at the function.

Namuganza told the journalists that she was ready to provide funds for land acquisition and capital for projects that would be established on the land.

“I have your money to procure land and provide capital for the projects you will run on that land. I am waiting for your SACCO account so I can deposit.”

She gave the journalists until September to have their SACCO account opened and operational.

“I have given you this month of August. By September I want that account opened, and I will deposit money for you. You will then carry out activities on that land. You can do poultry rearing or goat rearing; you choose any one so that you can transform your livelihoods,” she said.

The Chairperson of the Namutumba District Journalists Association, Joseph Sooka, welcomed the pledge, saying it would help journalists become more self-reliant and address some of the financial challenges affecting their work.

Sooka assured the minister that the association would provide the SACCO account details within the agreed timeframe.

“Within this month of August, the account number will be provided to Hon. Princess Persis Namuganza without fail because everything is in process,” Sooka said.

He called on journalists in the district to unite and take advantage of the opportunity to improve their economic wellbeing.

Journalists raise press freedom concerns

The journalists also used the celebrations to highlight challenges affecting their work, including harassment, assault and difficulties in accessing information from public officials.

The event, which was held to mark World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, was conducted under the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”

NDJA said journalism goes beyond reporting facts, arguing that the media plays an important role in safeguarding democracy and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities.

The association expressed concern over what it described as increasing harassment of journalists by some politicians, public officials and security personnel.

Sooka, who reports for Busoga Royal FM in Jinja, said assaults against journalists threaten the free flow of information and undermine democratic processes.

“Whatever annoyance the journalists may have caused to any party, politicians or police, struggling and beating to attain political power or show influence, allegedly using force to force them out or arrest them is untactful,” he said.

Sooka argued that political leaders and parties depend heavily on the media to reach the public and therefore should not undermine journalists.

He called for people in public office who assault journalists to apologise and urged journalists to maintain professional relationships with their sources.

Journalists urged to observe ethics

Derrick Kwetere of Baba TV said journalists should be allowed to perform their duties without intimidation, but cautioned that press freedom should not be used to justify unethical conduct.

“Even though journalists who are overzealous cross the red line of privacy, many of them have been assaulted. A number of journalists in the district have forced themselves into premises where, or when, for some reason, they have been denied information about government programmes by people in public offices,” Kwetere said.

He said denial of information by public officials can make it difficult for journalists to produce accurate reports and may contribute to factual inaccuracies.

Simon Kalulu, a reporter with Baba FM, said journalists in the district face difficulties working in an environment where they are routinely harassed or denied access to information.

District leaders call for responsible reporting

Namutumba District Chairperson David Mukisa said a free press strengthens democracy by facilitating the flow of news and information.

However, he urged journalists to balance the pursuit of compelling stories with professional standards and fairness.

“It is the journalist’s job to get as good a story as much as possible and to get something unusual, but it is their professional responsibility to use fair reporting and means of obtaining factual information from the concerned people,” Mukisa said.

OC Stato Buyondo Henry, who represented Namutumba District Police Commander SSP Byansi Muhammad, said police was ready to cooperate with journalists while encouraging them to observe professional ethics.

“But why run a story when it is likely to be a painful one because of the way it is presented? The way a story is presented or obtained, all in the name of innovativeness, can make all the difference to its effect on those concerned,” Buyondo said.

He urged journalists to report accurately and adhere to professional standards.

Meanwhile, Hajji Muhammad Waguma, who represented Namutumba District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Betty Naisita Mpongo, asked journalists to remain united and report responsibly without bias.

Naisita also contributed Shs1 million towards the journalists’ activities.

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