In preparation for the upcoming World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on May 3, 2024, the European Union (EU) delegation to Uganda met with members of the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) at the EU offices in Kampala. The EU delegation was led by H.E Jan Sadek, while UJA was represented by its president, Mathias Rukundo.
During the meeting, Rukundo highlighted a series of planned activities to commemorate WPFD, including outreach meetings aimed at promoting press freedom. He addressed the serious challenges facing journalists in Uganda, including detention, intimidation, and arrests, emphasizing the need for robust advocacy against these oppressive practices.
Rukundo expressed gratitude to the EU for its steadfast support in areas critical to national development such as press freedom, environment, trade, and health. He stressed the importance of engaging with international partners like the EU to safeguard journalistic practices and uphold the law.
The UJA president also condemned the undue risks journalists face from certain governmental agencies and public entities, underscoring the legal right to practice journalism without fear. He called for journalists to unite in their efforts to combat these infringements, which severely impact public access to information.
Rukundo thanked the EU team for their passionate commitment to advocating for, promoting, and protecting press freedom. WPFD serves not only as a reminder to governments worldwide of their duty to uphold press freedom but also as a day for media professionals to reflect on press freedom issues and ethical standards. Moreover, it is a day to honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
