The Head of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences Mulago, Enid Mugume, has cautioned journalists against excessive exposure to loud music, warning of severe and long-term hearing consequences.
Mugume made the remarks on Saturday while delivering a presentation during the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Church Service for journalists held at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero.
The colorful ceremony, which attracted over 100 journalists, bloggers, TikTok content creators, media practitioners, and invited guests from across the country, began with a church service before climaxing with speeches, recognition, and awards honoring dedicated and long-serving scribes.
The event was spearheaded by a team led by Robinah Nantale. During the gathering, journalists shared moving testimonies about the suffering and brutality they endured at the hands of security forces during the recently concluded general elections.
In her lecture, Mugume highlighted the dangers of prolonged exposure to loud music and the reckless use of earphones and headphones, noting that these habits significantly contribute to hearing impairment.
She revealed that over 2 million people in Uganda are affected by hearing-related challenges, including children, traffic police officers, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
According to Mugume, between 10% and 12% of children experience hearing disabilities, often caused by medical conditions such as ear infections, birth complications, meningitis, measles, and genetic factors.
She further noted that Uganda has limited national programs dedicated to ear and hearing care. At Mulago National Referral Hospital alone, between 300 and 400 hearing-related cases are registered.
Mugume added that approximately 4.7% of Ugandans experience hearing difficulties, with trends indicating a higher prevalence among young people due to exposure to loud music and improper use of audio devices.
Turning to the Uganda Traffic Police, Mugume revealed that 18.9% of officers have some degree of hearing impairment. Of these, 17.3% suffer mild effects, while 1.6% experience moderate impairment. She also noted that one in five officers shows signs of hearing damage, largely due to constant exposure to noise from vehicle sirens and whistle blowing.
She warned that continuous exposure to such high noise levels poses a serious risk not only to hearing but also to overall health.
The chief guest, Faisal Ndase, delivered UGX 5 million on behalf of Lucy Nakyobe in appreciation of the media’s role as the Fourth Estate.
Ndase commended the media for its continued role in sensitizing the public about the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government program that has positively impacted millions of households.
He also revealed plans to engage the media in covering the PDM assessment process, beginning with the Northern Region.
Other notable attendees included Julius Mucunguzi, Communications Officer at the Electoral Commission Uganda; Mathias Rukundo, President of the Uganda Journalists Association, represented by Secretary General Emma Kirunda; and Simon Ibanda Mugabi, President of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association, among others.
