Assessing media coverage and national security in Uganda
Under the theme media coverage and national security in Uganda, Security Minister, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, convened a dialogue which brought together different media and security persons. The dialogue held in a conference room at the Office of the president was to interface security with press because of a common goal of defending the population.
Minister Lt. Gen.Tumukunde said that media being second in command must work hand in hand with security agencies rather than fighting and accusing each other.
While speaking the prime minister of Uganda Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda emphasized the fact that a lot of information is kept in government when in fact it is for public consumption. “It is high time government communicators endeavor as much as possible to make information available to the public”. Dr. Rugunda said
The dialogue between security personals and media practioners is meant to bridge the gap the two sides of common interests. Where journalists gather news for publication, intelligence or security agencies gather information for consumption making information the common good.
At the end of the dialogue, resolutions were passed which are meant to followed in line of working both for security, government organizations and the pressers.
These include;
RESOLUTIONS DURING THE INAUGURAL MEDIA COVERAGE AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN UGANDA DIALOGUE AT THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT CONVENED BY THE MINISTER FOR SECURITY LT. GEN. TUMUKUNDE ON THE 16TH MAY 2017
UNDERSCORING the importance of security to Uganda’s Socio-Political and Economic development;
APPRECIATING the role of the Media in promoting National Security
ALIVE to the fact that the Media can be used constructively or destructively depending on the circumstances and,
IN ORDER to highlight the role of Media in promoting National Security
The Minister for Security held a one day dialogue with the media themed; “Media Coverage and National Security in Uganda.”
The Guest of Honour was the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and the dialogue was attended by Hon. Ministers, Representatives from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Foreign Diplomats, Media Houses and the dialogue resolved as follows;
- Security Agencies should put in place mechanisms that would ensure continuous dialogue between themselves and Government Communicators on matters of national security
- Security Agencies should exhibit professionalism while dealing with the Media and citizenry.
- The Media should remain professional at all times and should always strike a balance between freedom of speech, the rights of others and National interests.
- There is need to develop mechanisms that would facilitate timely dialogue between Security Agencies and Media Houses on national security matters.
- Media personalities should be equipped with basics of national security.
- There is need to have dynamic laws in place that should address the evolving nature of the offences associated with the Media.
- Media owners should endeavor to send senior, professional and relevant officers to attend symposiums organized by Security Agencies and other government Agencies.
- There is need to hire professional communicators in all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
- The Minister for Security should make this dialogue periodic.
- Government communicators should conduct in-depth research before communicating to the media
- There is need to organize cadreship development training for communication officers
