Focus on the growth and socio-economic transformation through accurate, balanced, and factual reporting - VP Uganda

KAMPALA - State House in conjunction with Uganda Journalists’ Association(UJA) are holding a 5-day journalists residential symposium at Kyambogo university whose theme is ‘social economic transformation for journalists’ from 6th -11th February 2023 with over 600 journalists in attendance.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Jessica Alupo the vice president of Uganda while officially opening the symposium reminded the journalists of the achievements of the NRM government for the last 37 years which include; gender mainstreaming, universal health education, access to safe water, poverty reduction from 56% to 21%, reduction in infant mortality rate, and increase in life expectancy among others.

“The bedrock for transformation to take place is peace and security which the NRM has ably enabled,” she said. H.E Alupo said that the circumstances which were here before us, around us, and those ahead of us should be utilized to create partnerships which are productive not partnerships which are counterproductive.

She said the theme should not just be used at the symposium only but it should help journalists reinforce the momentum of the common purpose to help Uganda transform from a peasant country to one of middle income status(Vision 20240).

She implored journalists to focus on growth and social economic transformation through accurate, balanced, and factual reporting. She added that social media has become an increasing threat through the spread of hate information and disinformation hence the need to always provide the relevant and accurate information.

H.E. Alupo appealed to journalists to work in tandem with government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in order to articulate government service delivery programs from an informed perspective. She promised to give cabinet a report on how there should be a smooth flow of public information through the PROs who are mostly trained journalists.