Uganda Police Force puts heavy arm on journalists
By Staff Reporter
In its efforts to control journalists in Uganda, the government through Media Council and police, has chosen a draconian method to select and accredit journalists.
According to a statement released by Uganda Police Force; the police and sister security agencies shall recognize only journalists and media practitioners who are accredited by the Media Council, during the coverage of campaigns and other electoral events.
Uganda Police Force and Media Council, did not realize that accreditation of journalists does not expire. Those who qualify as journalists should be allowed to apply for accreditation even after 31st.
What this means is that hostilities between journalists and security agencies will increase; and its the government to lose. This is because they are suppressing freedom of press. Journalism is inborn, still journalists will report without whether accredited or not.
The police statement wish notifies the public that with effect from the 31.12.2020, the accreditation process that has been open to all media practitioners expires on the 31.12.2020.
“As we had indicated in our communication of 14.12.2020, the accreditation will help us distinguish journalists who are compliant from those who are holding out.
The Media Council has generated a list of all journalists who have been accredited, registered and are compliant with valid Media Council press badges, which shall operate as a working tool by the bonafide journalists.
All the accredited journalists and media practitioners, must visibly wear their press badges at all times, while covering the political campaigns and electoral events. They should also know that the media press badges are personalized and therefore, non-transferable.
We would like to further remind all accredited journalists that our zonal and territorial commanders have been availed the list of all successfully accredited journalists for ease of verification. This arrangement will help us accord journalists better protection over the remaining electoral process.”