The next few weeks are jammed with election-related activities, including the election of a President, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Local Government council representatives, who will lead us for the next five years. In the election cycle, journalists, who are part of the media ecosystem, are expected to play a critical democratic role to inform the public accurately, monitor and report electoral processes, expose irregularities and malpractices, promote peace and responsible reporting, fact-check and counter misinformation, etc.
However, in the process of carrying out their role during the election cycle, we have in the past seen incidents where they are specifically targeted and assaulted.
Recently, I attended a training of journalists by the African Centre for Media Excellence focused on covering Uganda’s general elections. Earlier, I had attended a similar training facilitated by Dr William Tayebwa, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University. They shared tips on how journalists covering the 2026 elections can ensure their safety. Permit me to share some of them.
Journalists should research the history of the destination they have been assigned to cover. Incidents of attacks against journalists during elections are common in the central region, particularly Kampala and Wakiso districts. As a journalist covering elections in these areas, always be alert and prepared in case anything undesirable happens. Don’t work in isolation. Move and talk to other journalists, because if any violence breaks out, you can rescue each other. If you have experienced problems in a particular area, inform fellow journalists about it.
For female journalists, please wear comfortable closed or canvas shoes, not high heels, or open flat shoes. Avoid wearing tight clothing. These can make your movement difficult in times of chaos. Be intentional with the colours of clothes you wear. In Uganda, colours yellow, red, and blue are part of the identity of the three main political parties, depending on the political movements and parties active in your region, dress in mutual colours. When you get to your reporting destination, get in touch with area authorities, including the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station in that area. Let them know you are a journalist, such that in case anything happens to you, you can be rescued/supported. Remember, they can also be sources of information.
Relatedly, respect lawful police instructions while asserting your constitutional duties to report freely. Move with your press card/press badge, and wear your press jackets where necessary for easy identification. Unfortunately, these have in the past been used in some incidents to target journalists. We hope it doesn’t happen this time. Avoid journalism of ‘bravado’. This is where reporters use an aggressive, confrontational, or showy approach in their reporting. This can get you into more trouble. Remember, no story is more important than your life. If the environment where you are reporting from becomes very violent , please leave.
And to our security agencies, politicians, the Electoral Commission (EC), and the general public, please provide a safer and secure environment for journalists to do their work without intimidation, harassment, or attacks. To the journalists, it is not only about respecting your rights. You also have to respect the rights of others. Rights come with responsibilities, and yours is to report responsibly by applying key principles of journalism, including truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, accountability, and transparency. Inflammatory media reports can also cause protests or violence.
My prayer and wish, which I strongly believe is the wish for many Ugandans, is to have a peaceful voting period, free from any form of violence. Let us all shun violence against journalists and civilians. A peaceful and violence-free Uganda is possible, and benefits us all.