Parliament has rescinded its decision to block journalists using electronic equipment from covering the plenary session.
On Tuesday, the MPs unanimously accepted to change their earlier position by voting in favour of the amendment. In a motion moved by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, the legislators argued that times have changed stating it would be in order to allow Uganda media access the plenary session. He moved to allow all broadcast media houses access to relay live the events from parliament.
MPs across the political divide rooted for the idea saying technology will only enhance the timely coverage of events from the house. NRM spokesperson, Mary Karoro Okurut declared her support for the media asking other MPs to allow them flourish in their role to cover parliament.
Baka Mugabi, the Bukooli North MP and one of those blacklisted by journalists, was clearly presenting a different view from what he proposed last week. He now sees the media as a close partner of the House that needs to be allowed in with gadgets.
Dressed in black in a show of solidarity, the journalists sat at the public gallery inside the chambers as they listened to their fate on the matter. A delighted Uganda Parliamentary Press Association president, Agnes Nandutu noted that this was an achievement for media freedom in Uganda.
In the same spirit, the journalists have withdrawn the list of three MPs who were blacklisted for their role in blocking the use of equipment. Those who had been blacklisted included Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, Baka Mugabi and Iganga MP Olivia Kabaale.
Although the battle has been won, Nandutu notes that the war on media freedom in Uganda is yet to be won. She says focus will now shift to the recently tabled bill to gag the media. The 70-page Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill 2012 seeks to further tighten the process of acquiring licenses for radio and television operators.
The acceptance to have electronic equipment is a major milestone for the media who have through the times fought for their right to access information. Journalists covering the 6th parliament between 1996 and 2001 had a difficult time in accessing information.
Expedit Ssebayigga, a journalist at the time told URN how difficult it was for journalists to get information. They were not allowed to attend committee sessions, converge at the foyer or the lobby and had no office within parliament to help them relay stories of the day. It was until the journalists declared a blackout on parliament that the institution woke up to realize the importance of the fourth estate. Parliament called for a ceasefire and invited journalists to cover them. Ssebayigga notes that MPs began looking at the journalists as a friendly force.
Although the Parliamentary rules of procedure still consider journalist as strangers, Ssebayigga has observed some improvement in the relationship between parliament and journalists. He says the journalists under Uganda Parliamentary Press Association have an office equipped with computers, Internet and Television monitor that relays live plenary sessions.
