Media demand state commitment to press freedom ahead of 2026 elections

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Leading media organizations and human rights bodies have called on the Ugandan government to recommit to protecting press freedom ahead of the 2026 general elections. The appeal was part of a joint communication released to mark the start of World Press Freedom Week.The statement, delivered by Mariam Wangadya, Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, on behalf of the Uganda Media Sector Working Group (UMSWG), underscored the urgent need for reforms to safeguard journalism amid a rapidly evolving information landscape.“This year’s global theme, ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’, highlights the twin opportunities and risks posed by new technologies to journalism and democracy,” Wangadya stated.Uganda’s national theme for this year’s celebrations—“Defending Truth in the Age of Polarization and Distrust”—was also highlighted as timely and relevant, reflecting the domestic c...