Busoga journalists challenged to prioritize work skills over differences

Jinja, (UG):- The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) chairman Prof Dr. Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira has challenged journalists in Busoga sub-region to use their work skills in promoting unity amongst themselves and avoid unnecessary fights.

Dr. Lubega, who is also the first deputy premier of Busoga Kingdom, was on Friday attending the fourth Annual Busoga Media Iftar Dinner at Jinja City Hall where he tasked the media fraternity to prioritize principles that unite them and also stand accountable to the they serve by ensuring qualitative work.

“What you do to people may be different from what you do for them and what you do for them and please note the three. Are you good at building or destroying, are you good at reconciling or separating, what are you known for and what shall we remember you for,” Dr Lubega said before recommending the journalists to read a book titled ‘who will cry when you die’.

He asked all media personalities having misunderstandings with others to reconcile and ensure unity for purpose and apply professionalism in managing differences other than using professional tools in fighting battles. Lubega says that a society where people are born, raised and exposed differently needs conflict management and prioritizing development to remain together.

“My appeal to you is to remain united. It doesn’t mean you will not agree because it is only fools who don’t disagree but wise people can disagree with time but managing it is the most important thing. I’m proud that these days I don’t hear you abusing each other on radios and the few ones still doing it, kindly reconcile with your colleagues because you can’t be that person you’re conflicting with and he/ she can’t be you,” Dr. Lubega advised.

The UMSC Chairman, while using a proverb of darkness and a candle, challenged the media fraternity to be proud of their work and use the simple skills they carry to change the society citing that any skill is magnificent in positively impacting the society.

“Never be scared by the thinness of the filament of your lantern amidst of the darkness, for the bigger the darkness and the wider it is, the more your light will be seen. Always be proud of your work, either you’re a news reporter, cameraman, presenter or spokesperson on ceremonies,” he said before commending the Uganda Ambassador to UAE who was also in attendance, for supporting Muslims and Ugandans in general through mutual cooperation between Uganda and UAE.

The UAE ambassador Hajji Zaake Kibedi urged journalists to work for the world like never before and as well ensure working towards inheriting the heavenly kingdom. He also preached development by calling upon all media personalities to involve in other works which bring in side income, while ensuring putting Allah first in their work.

“Like one philosopher said, Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success, so I call upon you to establish a SACCO which will help you get money from the microfinance support center. There is no country which has ever developed from giving out unconditional money to people,” Hajji Kibedi said.

The RDC Jinja district Mr. Richard Gulume Balyaino commended journalists for working together with the government in ensuring peace while working patriotically to change the society in a positive way. He says the strategies of eradicating poverty in the sub-region have always been successful through working with media people.

“A journalist with a religious heart is a good person and call upon you to keep your respective religions. You are a key arm of the government because media can decide the direction of security and development in the country, so I want to thank for working with gov’t and also call upon you to treat this country as ours, which should be of use to those who comes after us,” RDC Gulume said.

The dinner was attended by Hon Isabirye David Aga, the Member of Parliament for Jinja City North Division, two media ladies aspiring for woman MP Jinja city Ms. Mirembe Esther and Jinja Deputy City Mayor Ms. Sirina Kyakuwaire Kamya. Others are Kiira regional police spokesperson SP James Mubi, representatives from Busoga North policing region, among others.

The annual Busoga Media Iftar Dinner, which was organized by Mr. Ibrahim Shamiru Byakika, a prominent radio journalist in the region and also the coordinator Office of the National Chairman (ONC) for Jinja was attended by journalists from all religious affiliations and from various media houses not limited to radios.