By Shivan Tuhairirwe,
NATIONAL
Minister of state for Kampala city and metropolitan affairs Kabuye Kyofatogabye wants the media to be independent, objective and be guided by journalism ethics when discharging their mandates.
Minister Kyofa made the remarks officiating at the UMCAT 14th Graduation ceremony in Mengo Kampala on Tuesday.
“I urge graduands to always be objective in your reporting and not to report biased news, be creative in this highly competitive world, and go back for further studies,” he urged
He further cautioned graduands against the deadly HIV/AIDS asking them to remain careful with their lives.
Steven Mwanga, the chairperson Governing Council for UMCAT told the congregation that the council is working on plans to upgrade the institution to a University status to start awarding degree courses.
“Our Chief Guest, I would like to announce that as part of upgrading UMCAT to a University status, we have made affiliations with Bugema University which will see admission and teaching of our students for degree awards,” he said
He also disclosed council plans to introduce technical and vocational studies at the UMCAT one way of supporting government programmes to empower the youth on wealth and job creation as a measure to combat the skyrocketing unemployment.
The chief guest, minister of information and national guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi hailed UMCAT for fostering gender-based empowerment in their education services. This was after statistics indicated that majority of females were graduating than males.
Of the 298 graduands, a total of 150 females graduated (50.4%) relatively more than their male counterparts, 149males (49.7%). They graduated with certificates and diplomas in journalism and other academic disciplines
Baryomunsi called for improved inter-sectoral collaborations between security agencies like the military, police and media practitioners in discharging of their duties to achieve press and media freedom.
“I ask the enforcement teams like the police and military to build strong mutual relations with journalists. There’s a need for you to co-exist than clashes because you all serve a public duty,” ICT minister Baryomunsi implored.
He was however, quick to caution graduands and already practicing journalists against abuse of the freedom of expression which he says has been boosted by the ruling NRM government through privatisation of the media.
Baryomunsi who boasted of over 40 Television stations and 300 Radio stations in Uganda largely owned by private individuals and organisations reminded journalists of repurcussions of violations other individual rights while enjoying their rights to freedom of expression.
