The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) has called for bold actions to combat impunity for crimes against journalists. On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, Apolo Kakaire, the Programme, Communications, and Advocacy manager at ACME, stressed the importance of ending violations of journalists’ rights, which often lead to self-censorship and, in turn, impact the quality of information available to the public.
ACME has urged authorities to provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to bring justice for crimes against journalists. Kakaire emphasized the need for state agencies to maintain close relationships with journalists to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
Jolly Mbambu, a journalist at Messiah Radio in Kasese, emphasized that reliable information provided by journalists is vital for a resilient democracy, where checks and balances play a critical role. She expressed concerns about security agencies, particularly the police, failing to address journalists’ concerns when they seek redress.
Kikama Ram, a journalist working with UBC-Ngeya, called for closer collaboration between state agents and local journalists to ensure the accuracy of information. He noted that security agents often accuse local journalists of spreading misinformation, even when they are denied access to facts.
Saimon Bikeke, the coordinator of the Umbrella for Journalists in Kasese (UJK), stressed the importance of confronting impunity for crimes against journalists to support free expression and a resilient society. Despite journalism being constitutionally recognized as a fundamental right, attacks against media professionals often go unpunished.
While acknowledging the importance of collaboration between state agents and journalists, Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt. Matte Magwara emphasized the need for journalists to perform their duties responsibly. He pointed out that most confrontations arise from journalists failing to respect the orders of on-duty officers.
By Idd Bashaijja
