Masindi, Uganda: Journalists and media practitioners have been urged to become frontline defenders of science and key allies in the fight against misinformation threatening agricultural progress in Uganda and beyond.
Speaking during a regional media training at Masindi Hotel on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Dr. Sadik Kassim, the Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Technology Promotion at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), challenged the press to uphold accuracy, credibility, and professionalism in their reporting on agricultural research and innovations.
Dr. Kassim stressed that the media wields immense influence over public perception and must resist being hijacked by anti-science narratives. He warned that negative activism has been used to spread fear and disinformation about scientific advancements in agriculture, with such actors strategically targeting journalists.
“Science and technology is the next panacea for the human race,” Dr. Kassim said. “The world’s population is growing rapidly while land space remains static. If we don’t secure food, we cannot secure peace. Populations without food are unsettled.”
He highlighted Uganda’s gains from agricultural research — including drought, pest, and disease-resistant crop varieties, faster maturity periods, higher yields, and crops tailored for industrial use — warning that without science, much of the country’s agricultural potential would have been lost.
The NARO deputy chief called for stronger collaboration between scientists and journalists, with researchers committing to transparency and simplifying their findings, while media professionals ensure every story is backed by facts and verified sources.
He also encouraged journalists to go beyond reporting problems and focus on the solutions science offers, hinting at NARO’s plans to introduce media awards for excellence in science communication.
Frank Mugabi, NARO’s Senior Communications Officer, said the organisation is working to bridge the gap between science and society, with the media serving as a vital link in telling the true story of agriculture and its role in food security, climate resilience, and economic development.
The Masindi training forms part of NARO’s wider initiative to equip journalists with deeper understanding of agricultural research and its importance to Uganda’s future.
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