Journalists urged to be agents of development through reporting

Iganga, (UG):- The State Minister for General Duties in the office of the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba has commended journalists of greater Iganga for selfless services and asked them to be committed to their work and serve as examples in development through embracing poverty alleviation strategies.

Rt. Hon Kasule was attending the Iftar dinner organized by the Greater Iganga media practitioners at Iganga district headquarters on Saturday, March 22, where she was invited as the chief guest. The function attracted a number of friends of journalists from all walks of life.

“You need to be examples and agents of development, and remember poverty strikes you as an individual, and you need to fight and overcome it by yourself. I call upon you to be vibrant and report about issues that benefit our people,” Minister Lumumba said before pledging support to the fourth estate.

Hon Lumumba tasked people in Iganga to trust leaders with more than one term of service in political positions, citing that it helps in building leaders who can catch the eye of the president for appointments in major government positions.

“You people of Iganga, whenever you elect someone and replace after one term, this is very bad, and it is the reason why other districts are benefiting from government appointments. You should know that this is a center district of Busoga which needs to tap into opportunities,” Lumumba said.

She handed in her contribution of Shs 5 million to support the journalists in their projects and revealed that the money came from her close Muslim friend Mr. Hamis Kigundu alias Ham, from whom she sought support prior to the dinner.

The Deputy District Kadhi for Iganga Muslim district, Sheikh Siraji Famba, urged journalists to always prioritize professional and good reporting and avoid reports that will fuel difference and cause disunity and havoc in the Community.

He condemned security for the wrath against journalists and urged security to be great partners of the media as opposed to humiliating and assaulting them, giving an example of what happened in the recent by-election of Kawempe North.

“We are worried about what is coming in the general elections of 2026 after observing what happened in the Kawempe North by-election. We beseech you, Hon. Minister and the entire government to ensure that rights of journalists are not abused by security personnel,” Sheikh Famba pleaded.

However, the Iganga Muslim district spokesperson under the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Sheikh Ali Matisad, urged journalists to always prioritize reporting positive stories about Islam, saying it confuses him to see that Muslim journalists report more about controversies in Islam, which is not the case with other journalists.

The function was attended by Ho.n Kauma Alibaawo, the Woman MP Iganga, Kigulu South MP Hon Milton Muwuma and the Woman MP Bugiri Hon Taaka Agnes, who also commended journalists for their cooperation and supported them financially towards the Iftar dinner.

Others who attended were the aspiring MP Iganga municipality Hajj Swaibu Ojasi and the advisor to the Mufti in charge Eastern region Hajj Muhammad Ngobi who emphasized progress of the media association and supported journalists with Shs500,000 each.

On behalf of journalists, Mr. Willy Basoga Kadama commended the people who supported them and applauded the government for various programmes that have benefited some journalists. He, however, condemned media bosses who don’t meet their responsibility of paying their workers.

“I want to commend the government for the PDM and Emyooga programs that have assisted some journalists to develop in various ways. Hon Minister, we ask the government to look into the issue where some of our friends are not paid at their places of work,” Kadama said.