Parliament committee to protect Journalists

By Francis Lubega

3^rd May 2024

The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has retaliated over Parliament’s commitment to protect the freedom of expression of journalists.

She revealed this as Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day under the theme; “Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis”.

In her communication to Parliament she said that this year’s theme reminds the country of the environmental challenges happening in Eastern Uganda and in the neighboring countries of Kenya and Tanzania and says Parliament is committed to protecting the freedom of expression of all Ugandans.

Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi in his message has urged the Government to protect the rights of journalists and also asked employers to empower them to diligently fulfill their mandate.

Media freedom, free speech and freedom of expression remain under attack in many parts of the world, as do journalists.

At least 67 journalists and media workers were killed in 2022 according to the Committee to Protect Journalists- the highest number since 2018 and almost 50 percent higher than in 2021.