KAMPALA, Uganda—The Nation Media Group–Uganda (NMG-U) has issued a forceful protest against the decision by Ugandan authorities to bar its journalists from covering proceedings at the Parliament of Uganda, labeling the action a “blatant attack on press freedom and democratic accountability.”
The restriction, which took effect on October 28, 2025, represents a significant escalation of a long-standing pattern of official intolerance toward independent media. It follows a similar blockade imposed on NMG-U journalists months earlier by the Presidency since March 2025.
In a strongly worded statement, Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa expressed profound concern over the escalating exclusion, noting the lack of transparency surrounding the decision.
“There has been no formal communication to explain the reasons behind this blockade. We have not been informed of any contraventions that we or our journalists might have committed and have therefore been denied the right of reply or due process,” Nsibirwa said.
Constitutional rights violated
Nsibirwa stressed that access to information and free reporting are fundamental constitutional rights, not privileges granted by public institutions. She highlighted the 30th anniversary of the nation’s supreme law this month as a critical moment to uphold these values.
“These rights are not favours. They are enshrined in the Constitution and are at the heart of the rule of law and good manners upon which free and democratic societies are built,” Nsibirwa emphasised.
She reminded authorities that both the Presidency and Parliament are public institutions, funded entirely by taxpayers and fundamentally accountable to the citizens they serve.
“Denying coverage and access to independent media violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Uganda, which guarantees freedom of the press, media, and expression,” Nsibirwa stated. “It also denies citizens the right to know what their elected leaders are doing in their name, undermining accountability, transparency, and good governance.”
‘Growing cancer of intolerance’
The NMG-U chief tied the parliamentary ban to a broader, worrying trend of shrinking media space, citing previous incidents of harassment and violence against journalists during the recent Kawempe North parliamentary by-election and throughout the current presidential campaigns.
“The latest decision by Parliament therefore compounds what seems to be a growing cancer of intolerance and restriction of media freedom, which we condemn in the strongest terms possible,” Nsibirwa declared.
Despite the persistent restrictions, NMG-U reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to its public service and watchdog roles, noting that it has continued to cover the President and national affairs with professionalism and fairness.
“We shall not abdicate our responsibility to do bold and thoughtful journalism and to hold those in power accountable,” she said. “We shall continue to defend media freedoms and the Bill of Rights guaranteed by our Constitution, which underpins our constitutional order.”
In her closing remarks, Nsibirwa delivered a pointed message to the country’s leadership: “We should always remember that democracy dies in darkness.”
