Mbale City, Uganda: The Bamasaaba cultural institution has called on media owners in the Bugisu sub-region and beyond to improve the welfare and employment terms of journalists, warning that the continued exploitation of practitioners undermines press freedom and accountability.
Speaking during a UNESCO-organized workshop in Mbale City, Steven Masiga, the institution’s spokesperson, urged radio and TV station owners as well as newspaper proprietors to prioritize proper employment contracts, salaries, and benefits for journalists they hire.
Masiga cited research showing that more than 80% of journalists in Bugisu lack formal appointment letters, deployment instruments, or even basic staff identification. He criticized media owners for failing to meet minimum labor standards, including remittance of savings to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
“Even domestic workers have appointment letters, yet journalists who do the critical work of informing government and defending citizen rights are left without formal recognition,” Masiga said.
He added that non-payment of salaries and NSSF contributions amounts to a criminal offense under Uganda’s labor laws and the Penal Code.
The workshop, which focused on strengthening media capacity ahead of the 2026 general elections, also attracted key security and civic leaders. Participants emphasized the need for journalists to be empowered and protected if they are to effectively serve as watchdogs in society.
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