KAMPALA– Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has written to Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of Electoral Commission (EC) requesting him for assurance on Journalists’ Safety as they will be covering the forthcoming 2026 General Elections activities.
“During the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election that was
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conducted on the 13th March 2025, a total of 36 journalists together
with some of their organization drivers were brutally attacked and
injured by officers from various security forces including the UPDF and Uganda Police Force while covering the by-election which left them physically and psychologically impaired.” reads part of the letter signed by Mathias Rukundo, UJA President
That, those atrocities were a
deprivation of their right to freedom of speech and expression which
includes freedom of the press and other media enshrined under Article 29(1)(la) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 as amended, hence creating safety concerns amongst the journalists.
“All this speaks to the growing safety concerns that necessitates the Commission’s urgent intervention as the statutory electoral process manager with safety measures and assurances to the journalists in the spirit of curbing electoral violence that threatens peace and stability of this country.”
Request
UJA has therefore called upon the Electoral Commission, to consider the following;
Urgently pronounce itself on how the protection of journalists will be ensured, considering the Kawempe by election violence to which many fell victim and succumbed grave and or permanent injuries.
Holding a sincere and comprehensive conversation about the safety of journalists ahead of the 2026 election.
Partnering with the Uganda Journalists Association to organize stakeholders dialogue with all intended players in the upcoming election including the entire security managers/ agencies in the country who intend to play a critical role in the upcoming.
Furthermore, they emphasized that there is an urgent need to hold capacity building trainings for journalists.
