Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, assured journalists about Parliament’s commitment to ensuring freedom of speech on World Press Freedom Day.
During the plenary session on May 3, 2024, Speaker Among emphasized Parliament’s alignment with the global effort to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom and reminded the government of its duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
She noted that these principles are appropriately incorporated into Article 29 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, which grants every individual the freedoms of speech and expression, as well as the freedom to publicly assemble and demonstrate peacefully.
However, she urged journalists to ensure that Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression in Uganda, is not misused.
“I take this opportunity to reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression. This is why you see so many journalists in this House, and you should ensure that the Article isn’t abused. I wish the entire Fourth Estate a pleasant celebration of World Press Freedom Day,” Speaker Among remarked.
She further emphasized that upholding media freedom is essential for fostering a vibrant democracy.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, I want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the invaluable work of journalists in ensuring transparency, accountability, and, most importantly, accuracy. I wish all journalists a happy Press Freedom Day,” she stated.
Under the theme “Journalism is the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” Speaker Among highlighted the theme’s relevance to the environmental challenges affecting many areas, especially in East Africa and Eastern Uganda.
With countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda experiencing severe floods, journalists see themselves at the forefront, wielding their pens as powerful instruments for change.
Through their reporting, journalists aim to shed light on environmental injustices and inspire action while demanding accountability from those in power.
World Press Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1933, is observed every May 3rd to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty.
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