Media practitioners must uphold truth, professionalism, and independence as Uganda heads into a charged political season, media leaders have said.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue at Makerere University in Tuesday, Phillip Karugaba, a rule of law advocate warned journalists against becoming tools for political interests.
“The job of a journalist is not to serve political interests but to serve the public with factual, verified, and balanced information,” he said.
Karugaba stressed that defending the truth begins with internal discipline, urging journalists to verify facts, maintain editorial independence, and give voice to diverse perspectives.
Echoing the message, Media Council Chairperson Paul Ekochu said while physical attacks on journalists are a concern, internal threats like bias, commercial pressures, and sensationalism are equally damaging. “Journalists today are being beaten not just by fists, but by brown envelopes, biases, and predators,” he warned.
Ekochu emphasized that trust must be rebuilt from within the profession. “Before we even talk about external threats, the journalist must first defend the truth by how he or she practices their craft,” he said.
He added that while everything reported must be true, not every truth needs to be publicized without care. “Everything you say must be true, but not everything true must be said,” he remarked, urging sensitivity especially when reporting sensitive matters.
Ekochu also revealed that the government is working on a new media law to distinguish trained journalists from untrained actors in the digital space. “It is not about gagging the media but protecting the profession,” he clarified.
Both Karugaba and Ekochu urged young journalists to commit early to truth, fairness, and service to the public. “You are the ones who will write the first drafts of tomorrow’s history,” Ekochu told the students.
As Uganda gears up for elections, the call for a disciplined, independent, and truthful media has never been more urgent.