As Uganda joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP), has called upon the government to respect the rights of journalists and end brutality against them.

He made the call during plenary session on May 3, 2024, and said that besides the brutality, the working conditions of journalists in Uganda are very poor in regards to the payment given to them by the owners of the media houses.

“I would wish to remind the government to protect the rights of journalists as they operate. Sadly, many times, they face a lot of brutality from the state, which should be protecting them as they do their work,” Ssenyonyi said.

“Our hope is that we can get commitment from the government on this particular issue, but also to call upon the employers of these journalists because, as the state brutalizes them, their employers in one way or another ill-treat them through poor pay,” Ssenyonyi added.

The Speaker of the Parliament, Anita Annet Among, who led Parliament in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, emphasised the Parliament’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression.

She, however, requested journalists to ensure that Article 29 of the Ugandan Constitution, which guarantees protection of individual rights—which include freedom of the press, media practitioners, civil society organizations (CSOs) and all political groupings, isn’t abused.

“I take this opportunity to reinforce Parliament’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression, and that is why you see many journalists in this House. You should ensure that Article 29 isn’t abused,” Among said.

World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.

The Press Freedom Day 2024 will run under the theme “Journalism is the face of environmental crisis” which corresponds with the various environmental changes that have affected various areas, especially in East Africa.