The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has expressed strong opposition to a recent directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) that requires media house owners to monitor and regulate their employees’ personal social media activities.
The controversial directive was announced by UCC Executive Director Mr. Nyombi Thembo during a meeting on October 18, 2024, in Kampala.
UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda says that this latest move recalls a troubling directive from April 2019, when the UCC ordered the dismissal of 39 journalists from various media outlets for producing what the commission deemed “undesirable content.” Notable media houses affected included NTV, NBS TV, and Akaboozi FM. Following that incident, the UJA successfully petitioned the High Court, which ruled against the UCC’s actions, highlighting violations of journalists’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression.
“Despite the court’s intervention, the UCC’s new directive raises concerns about further restrictions on press freedom and the potential for retaliatory actions against journalists”. Mr Kirunda notes
According to him, the directive is a threat to independent journalism, warning that it could lead to job losses and legal challenges for media organizations that comply.
“The directive is not only uncalled for but also harmful to our profession,” Kirunda says, urging the media owners to reject it.
The UJA remains vigilant, promising to seek legal recourse for any journalists adversely affected by the UCC’s mandate. They also call upon the judiciary to expedite pending cases to reduce ongoing injustices faced by media professionals in Uganda.
