By Spy Uganda
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has cautioned media houses against bias, sensationalism, and selective reporting as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during a broadcasters’ stakeholders’ engagement in Kampala, UCC Executive Director William Nyombi Thembo said the media holds enormous power in shaping public opinion, especially during campaigns, but emphasized that this influence must be exercised responsibly.
“The public expects the media to cover all sides fairly, balanced and accurately. Accuracy is very important in this period—it must be factual, not hearsay,” Nyombi stressed, adding that new guidelines will soon be issued to strengthen responsible election coverage.
He further expressed concern over journalists who participate in elective politics while continuing to work in newsrooms, warning that such dual roles compromise neutrality. “This is allowed, but many eventually become biased, and some have even failed in politics. If you choose elective politics, it is reasonable that you leave journalism altogether,” he advised.
During the session, industry players voiced their own concerns. Next Media Group chief executive Kin Kariisa, who chairs the National Association of Broadcasters’ board of trustees, noted that many outlets are owned by politicians, ministers, or cultural and religious institutions, which exposes the sector to manipulation.
“These people act with impunity, some even shield themselves with soldiers. They are the ones abusing people. Regulations should apply to everyone equally, otherwise the political class will continue to manipulate the industry,” Kariisa argued.
He also urged the Electoral Commission to allocate more resources for voter education through media platforms, noting that many Ugandans remain uninformed about the voting process. In addition, he appealed to Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi to encourage government officials to appear more frequently in media interviews.
“Opposition leaders are just a call away, but NRM people are very hard to come by. This makes it difficult for journalists to balance stories,” Kariisa observed.
From the security side, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke described elections as a matter of national security and emphasized the importance of cooperation between security forces and the media.
“To the media, we all need each other, but sometimes our relations are at the lowest. We also make mistakes, just like you do, but our calling is to engage with the media in a way that sustains our name,” Rusoke said.
He further cautioned journalists against taking unnecessary risks while covering violent incidents. “Don’t risk your life for a story. You can always live to tell another story. In riot situations, everyone can become a casualty, including police officers,” he warned.
The meeting highlighted a recurring tension in Uganda’s electoral environment: while regulators urge balance, accuracy, and responsibility, critics warn that restrictive guidelines, internet shutdowns, and heavy-handed policing threaten press freedom. Journalists, meanwhile, continue to face harassment, arrests, and injuries when covering protests and rallies.
With misinformation, sensationalism, and political pressure already shaping the 2026 campaign season, stakeholders agreed that credible, fair, and safe reporting remains critical to protecting democracy.
The Kampala engagement was part of ongoing UCC consultations with broadcasters, security agencies, and other stakeholders aimed at safeguarding credible election coverage.
