Presidential candidate Nancy Kalembe has questioned the motive of the Media Council of Uganda to register journalists, a few days to the 2021 General Election.
According to the guidelines released on December 10th, all practicing journalists covering election events must hold press tags issued by the council or they won’t be able to cover elections and other events.
The exercise, which was supposed to start last week, was expected to run up to December 21st.
Paulo Ekochu, the media council chairperson, said in the statement that the move is intended to ensure the industry is well-monitored and free of quacks.
However, Kalembe, who has previously worked as a news anchor, said the timing is wrong, adding that the move is aimed at gagging the media ahead of the election.
The presidential candidate said given the busy schedule of journalists during the current campaigns, the government should reconsider its decision and do the registering after election if it is aimed at streamlining the media industry.
Media practitioners have already protested the directive to have all journalists register with the council, saying the move comes at an unfavorable time and on short notice.
Kalembe said if elected president, she will guarantee media freedoms and also improve the poor road network in the countryside.
