Stop Beating Us: Journalists Announce Boycott of Security Agencies Activities

Journalist’s organizations have announced a boycott of all security agency events in response to the violence against journalists by security agencies during the just concluded Kawempe North By-election.

Many Journalists mostly from NMG, Top TV, and Next Media were attacked and battered gadgets destroyed by security personnel.

Organisations that are spearheading the boycott include the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), Uganda Parliament Press Association (UPPA), Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA), and Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda (HRNJ), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Uganda Editors Guild.

The announcement was made during a joint press briefing in Kampala, on March 13

Moses Al Sayed Lubega, President of the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA), warned media houses and individual journalists who would want to ponder resisting the boycott, cautioning that they would face isolation if they do so

Robert Ssempala, Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda), said that the boycott will aim at conveying a lesson to security agencies to reflect on the safety of journalists

Emmanuel Kirunda, Secretary General of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), emphasized that the boycott is a deliberate measure aimed at teaching a lesson to those responsible for perpetuating impunity against journalists.

“We can no longer guarantee the safety of our colleagues in the field. We believe it is in the best interest of media houses and individual journalists to ensure safety. We believe this environment will no longer allow journalists to partake in their trade.”.

For comments on this report, story tips or sponsored content, send us a Whatsapp message at +256 705 690 819 or E-mail us at pearltimesug@gmail.com). 

Please Follow our Whatsapp Channel for More Stories HERE