The Minister for Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has broken the government’s silence on the blockade of Nation Media Group (NMG) journalists from Parliament, suggesting they are free to use content from the state-owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) instead.
The directive came in response to queries from Members of Parliament seeking clarity on why journalists from NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor were denied access to parliamentary premises and had their accreditation confiscated.
“They are free to tap content from @ubctvuganda and other media houses that are allowed to cover the proceedings of Parliament,” Dr. Baryomunsi told the House on Thursday.
The minister’s statement offers the first public, albeit indirect, official acknowledgment of the ban that has drawn condemnation from media associations, opposition leaders, and civil society. However, his suggestion that the barred journalists rely on a competitor, particularly the state-controlled broadcaster, has been met with criticism from press freedom advocates.
Critics argue that the solution undermines the principles of independent journalism and media plurality. Relying on a single, state-affiliated source for parliamentary reporting centralizes the narrative and denies the public the diverse, independent scrutiny that private media houses like NMG provide.
The minister’s comments stand in stark contrast to the demands of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) and the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), which have called for the immediate and unconditional restoration of NMG’s access, asserting that Parliament, as a public institution, must be open to all accredited media.
The incident has escalated into a significant test for press freedom in Uganda, highlighting the tense relationship between the state and independent media. Dr. Baryomunsi’s recommendation to “tap content” from UBC is seen by many as a confirmation that the blockade is a deliberate move to control and limit independent coverage of the legislative arm of government.
As of now, Parliament has not provided a formal explanation for its actions, and the ban on NMG journalists remains in effect.
