KAMPALA, UGANDA – Opposition lawmakers have fiercely condemned the blocking of a journalist from Parliament and the confiscation of their accreditation, alleging the move is retaliation for critical reporting.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A tense standoff over media freedom erupted at the Ugandan Parliament on Tuesday when security personnel stopped an NTV Uganda crew at the main entrance.
According to witness accounts, security officers cited “instructions not to let them in” but failed to provide a specific reason before confiscating their official press tags.
The action was swiftly linked by the Opposition to NTV’s recent hard-hitting series of reports on “unopposed candidates” in the upcoming elections, which spotlighted the top leadership of the House, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The incident, which has raised alarm over shrinking press freedom, prompted an immediate response in the parliamentary chamber.
While presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa distanced the leadership from the decision and vowed to investigate.
Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi accused Parliament’s leadership of blocking NTV because they were “angry” over its critical reporting, calling it a “shameful” attack on press freedom.
Acting Opposition Leader Muwama Kivumbi raised the concern in Parliament, demanding an official explanation and calling on the presiding officer to defend the institution’s integrity.
“Mr. Speaker, the House must take action to ensure media independence and press freedom are not suffocated,” Kivumbi asserted.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa stated the decision was made without his knowledge and reiterated that the leadership was not involved.
He clarified that the top parliamentary leadership is not involved in the day-to-day administrative process of media accreditation, emphasizing that such decisions fall under the purview of clerical and security officials.
“First, the Speaker and Deputy are not involved in the accreditation process of the media. But we shall take interest in the matter, though I’m more interested in understanding the regulation under which they are accredited,” Tayebwa said.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju, drawing on his own background as a journalist, suggested a disturbing pattern of silencing critical media.
He pointed out that NTV is already restricted from covering presidential events, arguing that this latest incident at Parliament reveals a troubling escalation and demanding an immediate ministerial statement to clarify the government’s position.
“I worked at The Monitor before I came here. NTV can’t cover the President, I don’t know if that’s not deliberate to strangle Nation Media. Can we get an explanation from the Minister on what crimes Nation Media has committed, if any?” Ssemujju questioned.
The nation now waits to see if Deputy Speaker Tayebwa’s promised investigation will lead to the journalists’ reinstatement or if this standoff marks a new normal for media access to the people’s House.
About the Author
