Uganda Editors’ Guild condemns escalating attacks on press freedom ahead of general election
The Uganda Editors’ Guild (UEG), the apex body representing the country’s senior newsroom leaders across all media platforms, has issued a strong statement condemning the persistent and intensifying violations of press freedom in Uganda.
These attacks primarily target independent media outlets such as Nation Media Group (NTV, Daily Monitor, East African) and The Observer, undermining their constitutional right to freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.
Since early 2025, independent media have faced increasing restrictions. Nation Media Group has been barred from covering events involving President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) since March.
In October, NMG journalists were inexplicably prevented from covering parliamentary sessions and subsequently denied accreditation to attend the State of the Nation Address. Journalists have also suffered intimidation from security agents, notably during the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election, forcing media houses to withdraw reporters.
The Observer Media has been subjected to unfair tax assessments targeting its business partners and suffered a serious security breach when its offices were broken into on October 9, resulting in the theft of vital editorial equipment crucial for newsgathering.
The Uganda Editors’ Guild reaffirms its mission to deepen media independence and press freedom by uniting senior editors and scholars for professional solidarity and leadership.
In a public statement, the UEG emphasized that these violations contravene Article 29(1)(a) of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression, and international commitments under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Background
Uganda’s media landscape has experienced mounting pressures over recent years, with independent outlets frequently caught in the crossfire of political tensions, especially during election periods.
Restrictions have included arbitrary arrests of journalists, censorship, and administrative hurdles such as accreditation denials, which have been widely condemned by local and international media rights organizations.
The rise in covert and overt intimidation tactics, coupled with financial and operational obstacles like targeted tax burdens and threats to physical security, reflect a broader pattern aimed at curbing critical reporting and silencing dissenting voices.
This context sets a worrying precedent particularly as the country heads into the 2025 general elections, highlighting the urgent need to protect the independence and safety of journalists.
The Uganda Editors’ Guild calls on all government authorities, security agencies, and Parliament to immediately halt all forms of discrimination, intimidation, and harassment of media workers.
It demands full investigations into attacks on journalists and media houses, with accountability for those responsible. The UEG stresses that protecting press freedom is essential for nurturing a prosperous and democratic society and ensuring transparency in the forthcoming elections.
Failure to address these infringements threatens the independence of Uganda’s media landscape, undermines public trust, and jeopardizes democratic governance.
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