MBARARA CITY
Yesterday 3rd May, 2023, Catholic Journalists from western districts flocked Our Lady of Perpetual Help Nyamitanga Cathedral, Mbarara Archdiocese to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day with Holy Mass.
The 2023 WPFD marked the 30th Year of the United Nations international day on Press Freedom. This year’s theme as defined by UNESCO is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
The main celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Fr. Severinus Ndugwa, Vicar General Mbarara Archdiocese. He commended Journalists and the media for shaping society through informative, educative and entertaining programs and other media content.
The Mbarara City Speaker Tashobya Bonnie Karutsya hailed Journalists for contributing to the national development through community reporting which pulls government’s interventions in areas of need. He asked the public to stop being biased about journalists but rather use them to know about government programs in their areas.
Speaking at the celebration mass, the Guest of Honor Eng. John Twinomujuni, the commissioner in charge of urban water supply and sewerage services department in the ministry of water and environment implored journalists to report objectively in their news stories, always conduct thorough research and investigations, check facts before disseminating information to avoid sensation and misinformation.
“Mbarara has been facing dry spell and flooding challenges with River Rwizi, and in other areas flush floods are caused by bare hills,” Eng Twinomujuni said. “I appeal to the public to embrace tree planting to protect the environment as well as promoting climate change in your communities,” he added.
Loydah Twinomujuni, the Mbarara District Lady Councilor representing Rubaya Sub County thanked Journalists for always keeping Ugandans informed with current affairs in the country and further asked them to promote environment protection.
As a public health practitioner, Loydah revealed that with a clean and protected environment, Ugandans will live healthy and free from diseases and disaster which come as a result of environmental degradation.
Mass ended with the planting of trees by journalists under their umbrella Mbarara Catholic Journalists’ Association headed by Felix Ainebyoona, a journalist at Nation Media Group (Daily Monitor) as climate change advocacy campaign an indicator that Eng. Twinomujuni applauded.
Others who attended the mass are Fr Julius muhwezi, curate priest Nyamitanga cathedral, Fr. Didas Kasapuri Rweteraine, Director Radio Maria Mbarara and Parish Priest Uganda Martyrs’ Parish and event’s organizers Fr Richard Beinomugisha, curate parish priest Nyamitanga parish and MCJA association president journalist Felix Ainebyoona.
Parrots Media, was represented by Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu, Western Uganda Bureau Chief for Parrots UG also a Laboratory Technician at Holy Innocent’s Children Hospital – Mbarara.
