Uganda’s media sector plays a critical role in shaping democratic governance and enabling citizens to make informed choices. Yet, as the country approaches another electoral cycle, persistent structural and safety challenges continue to undermine the ability of journalists and newsrooms to deliver credible, public-interest reporting—particularly during election periods.
Across the country, many media houses remain under-resourced and overstretched. This limits their capacity to invest in issues-based journalism, in-depth analysis, and safety preparedness for reporters operating in politically charged environments. As a result, election coverage is often reactive, event-driven, and vulnerable to misinformation and intimidation.
Election periods in Uganda have historically been marked by heightened risks for journalists. Reports by Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders consistently highlight violence, harassment, and repression targeting media professionals, especially during politically sensitive moments. In March 2025, journalists covering the Kawempe North by-election were subjected to severe violence by security forces, despite being clearly identified as members of the press. Such incidents are not isolated.
The Human Rights Network for Journalists–Uganda (HRNJ) has documented approximately 110 cases of abuse against journalists since 2024, including physical assaults, destruction of equipment, and arbitrary arrests. These violations not only endanger journalists’ lives and livelihoods, but also erode public trust in the media and compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Against this backdrop, the Uganda Editors’ Guild (UEG) continues to play a critical leadership role. As a professional association bringing together editors, senior journalists, and media scholars, UEG is committed to fostering ethical journalism, strengthening newsroom professionalism, and defending media freedom and independence. Central to this mandate is ensuring that journalists are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and support systems needed to report safely, responsibly, and independently during elections.
Building capacity and strengthening safety
In response to these challenges, UEG has implemented a series of two-day regional training workshops aimed at enhancing journalistic capacity and safety ahead of Uganda’s elections. The trainings were conducted in Kampala, Mbarara, Jinja, and Gulu, targeting journalists from both mainstream and community media, with particular attention to radio journalists and women journalists who often face heightened risks.
Implemented in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the workshops focused on practical and timely areas including:
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Ethical and issues-based election reporting
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Digital and physical safety for journalists
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Countering mis- and disinformation
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Adherence to editorial and election codes of conduct
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Strengthening professional accountability during electoral coverage
The trainings also created space for peer learning, reflection on newsroom practices, and dialogue on how editors and journalists can better uphold professional standards while navigating pressure, intimidation, and rapidly evolving information environments.
Towards safer, more credible election coverage
Strengthening journalists’ capacity and safety is not only about protecting media workers—it is about safeguarding the public’s right to accurate, credible, and independent information. As Uganda approaches its next elections, investing in professional journalism is essential to promoting informed citizen participation, accountability, and democratic resilience.
UEG remains committed to working with media stakeholders, regulators, civil society, and development partners to build a safer, more ethical, and more resilient media sector—during elections and beyond.
