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Female Journalists braving Uganda’s Election coverage amid threats and censorship

March 9, 2025

By;Judith Amusugut

Journalists in Uganda have always been on forefront target during Election coverage.

In the previous Elections around January 14th 2021, research according to the Committee to Protect Journalists said that Ugandan security forces should stop harassing and attacking journalists, and should ensure that the press can freely cover the country’s upcoming elections.

It added that since December 11, security officers have assaulted at least 10 journalists covering opposition events ahead of the country’s January 14 presidential election, and briefly detained at least two members of the press and questioned them about their work, according to media reports and journalists who spoke with CPJ.

Police assaulted Busoga One FM reporter Moses Waiswa, BBS Terefayina reporter and anchor Ssesanga Batte, NTV Uganda reporter and camera operator John Cliff Wamala, Bukedde TV reporter David Tamale, Atusingwize Jonan, a reporter with the Pearl of Africa radio station and the online outlet Ghetto Media, and Ronald Mugyenyi, among others. However, no matter what has been happening, female journalists are still braving to cover the upcoming 2026 general elections.

Lydia Aryecho a freelance journalist says that the best way to keep safe during the upcoming elections is to first have an identification like tags and IDs so as not to be affected by identity crisis, and get acquainted with the security teams, leaders and people vying for different positions.

She advises that attaching you as a journalist to a particular team or camp is unethical and is the major cause of threats. However, we should be balanced, fair and not objective in our reporting so as to have safe and peaceful reporting during elections.

Namukuta Jackie also known as JJ, a journalist working with SBC media centre in Mbale city says the threats they face are often brutal. She adds that during elections, it’s not just about writing the stories; it’s about staying alive to report them.

Phoebe Masongole, reporter working with Daily monitor Mbale said the psychological impact is intense where female journalists are taken as vulnerable by their own new rooms, but they are always on ground to grow and develop their career.

Meanwhile, Paul Watala , a writer with New vision in Eastern Uganda says majority of the journalists especially female journalists have shunned covering elections due to the harsh conditions at duty like beatings, accusations, bullets among others which makes them take a lot of time to become brave enough to handle such situations.

He however appealed to female journalists to come on board and those that have been there to encourage others in covering politics but of course with more training.

However, Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ) says that it’s important to have female journalists on board since most communities tend not to appreciate the contribution of women hence facing a lot of disapproval.

He urged female journalists intending to cover elections to mainstream their safety and security, attend forthcoming training on how to assess situations, respond to emergencies among others.

Stephen Ouma, the General Secretary at Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) says that female journalists are disproportionately targeted with violence and harassment, especially during elections. He adds that the increase in threats not only affects journalists’ safety but also erodes public trust in the media.

Women are often told to stay quiet, but their voices are essential to a balanced democratic society.

Nevertheless, Rodgers Taitika, the Elgon region spokesperson, called upon female journalists to respect rules set out by the security and Electrol commission while also knowing the best dress code when going to cover elections, reasons why issues may happen like abrupt hostility. He however committed to team up with media and other stakeholders for the best election coverage.

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