Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson, Uganda Electoral Commission has called upon Editors at media houses to use their gatekeeping mandate to stop the promotion of hate speech and campaign against acts of violence ahead of the 2026 general elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t give ammunition to those who want to sow seeds of sectarianism, hopelessness and division through the use of hate speech and language that creates discord and bitterness among the voters,\u201d Byabakama stated .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Byabakama said the media should educate the Ugandans public about the responsibilities of every citizens and their rights to participate in electoral processes peacefully and by respecting each other. He decried the widespread commercialisation of Uganda’s elections , spread of misinformation, disinformation and fake news noting that these fuel violence and empathy among voters .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EC boss was addressing Editors at the 3rd two day annual Uganda Editors\u2019 Guild Convention in Kampala. The event brought together editors and media practicing professionals to discuss key issues affecting journalism in Uganda – including AI in newsrooms, investigative journalism, data-driven reporting, and combating misinformation and disinformation ahead of the elections season .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Daniel Kalinaki, the president of Uganda Editors\u2019 Guild describing the convention as timely in light of the election year, emphasized that high-level engagements with key stakeholders are critical to negotiating for space and freedom for journalists to be able to do their work and speak a unified voice and counter vices such as electoral violence, and violence against journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe convention aims to focus on emerging issues around elections so we have all the key stakeholders in one room, editors can get a sense of the state of preparations for the elections, legislative changes and have high level engagement with decision makers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe must have in-depth conversations with people at the other end of the fence and bodies like Uganda Editors Guild create avenues for us to understand and hear each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kalinaki also highlighted that it is important that we focus on the relevance of journalism in Uganda and how to ensure that the quality of journalists coming into the newsrooms is not a mismatch with what the editors want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. George Lugalambi Executive Director The African Center for Media Excellence (ACME) emphasized that for sustainability to uplift the quality of journalism across the board is important not to have pockets of excellence but to collaborate at a high level as players in the media industry. \u201cConversations such as we are having are critical to enable us strengthen our internal mechanisms in the profession to enable self-regulation. As an editor you are the first regulator,\u201d Dr Lugalambi highlighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The convention is supported by M-SPACE, a programme being implemented by consortium partners Uganda Editors Guild, ACME, Uganda Radio Network, and Uganda Media Women\u2019s Association that is working towards enhancing the professionalism and accountability of media practitioners and institutions and improving the operating environment for media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Secretary\/ Director of Legal Affairs at Uganda Communication Commission Ms. Susan Wegoye has called for a partnership with the media as we reflect on our role in society and ensuring accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She has stressed the importance of verifying information before it is published now that the digital revolution and technological advancement have changed things around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson, Uganda Electoral Commission has called upon Editors at media houses to use their gatekeeping mandate to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Byabakama.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16011,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/electoral-commission-procures-109142-biometric-kits-for-2026-general-elections\/","url_meta":{"origin":14015,"position":0},"title":"Electoral Commission Procures 109,142 Biometric Kits For 2026 General Elections","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0second consignment of biometric kits\u00a0for Uganda's 2026 General Election arrived in the country yesterday, on November 29, 2025.\u00a0 This arrival is the second batch of a total of 109,142 Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) procured by the Electoral Commission (EC). The first consignment of 60,000 kits arrived at Entebbe International\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/G4UpieuWYAAb8px.jpg","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16003,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/ec-boss-byabakama-reveals-that-21-million-voters-will-cast-their-votes-in-2026-general-elections-printing-of-ballot-papers-starts\/","url_meta":{"origin":14015,"position":1},"title":"EC Boss Byabakama Reveals That 21 Million Voters Will Cast Their Votes In 2026 General Elections, Printing Of Ballot Papers Starts","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"November 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Electoral Commission (EC) , Boss Justice Simon Byabakama ,has revealed that 21 million voters have been cleared to participate in the January 15, 2026, general elections. According to Byabakama of the 21 million voters women represent 53% and the men account for 47%. During a press conference at the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ed-26-b.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ed-26-b.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ed-26-b.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ed-26-b.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ed-26-b.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12376,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/ec-chairman-justice-byabakama-calls-for-strong-law-to-regulate-campaigns-financing\/","url_meta":{"origin":14015,"position":2},"title":"EC Chairman Justice Byabakama Calls For Strong Law To Regulate Campaigns Financing","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"July 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama , has called for urgent amendment to place a cap on campaign financing which has rendered Uganda's elections a commodity for the highest bidder . Speaking to the media in Kampala ahead of next years campaigns in the run-up to the 2026 general\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Elections"","block_context":{"text":"Elections","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/elections\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bya.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bya.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bya.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bya.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/bya.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14925,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/ec-chairman-justice-byabakama-announces-new-dates-for-nomination-of-candidates-for-presidential-and-parliamentary-elections\/","url_meta":{"origin":14015,"position":3},"title":"EC Chairman Justice Byabakama Announces New Dates For Nomination Of Candidates For Presidential And Parliamentary Elections","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"July 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Zulfah Namatovu The Electoral Commission has adjusted the dates for the nomination of candidates for Presidential Elections 2025\/2026, which was earlier scheduled to be conducted on 2nd and 3rd October 2025. The nominations will now take place on 23rd and 24th September 2025\" - Justice Byabakama\u00a0, the Independent Electoral\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electoral Commission ,2026 General Elections"","block_context":{"text":"Electoral Commission ,2026 General Elections","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/electoral-commission-2026-general-elections\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ec2.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ec2.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ec2.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ec2.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ec2.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14652,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/ec-boss-justice-byabakama-warns-candidates-about-academic-qualifications-deployment-of-youth-vigilantes-to-protect-votes-is-illegal\/","url_meta":{"origin":14015,"position":4},"title":"EC Boss Justice Byabakama Warns Candidates About Academic Qualifications , Deployment of Youth Vigilantes To Protect Votes Is Illegal","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"June 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Our Reporters Justice Simon Byabakama has told candidates ahead of the 2026 general elections to strictly verify their academic papers before nomination and warned against deployment of youth vigilantes to \"protect' voters . \"All those persons who had their academic qualifications verified in previous elections for example in 2021\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "2026 General Elections"","block_context":{"text":"2026 General Elections","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/2026-general-elections\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/bya.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/bya.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/bya.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/bya.jpg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/bya.jpg 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5661,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/electoral-commission-issues-new-guidelines-for-omoro-by-elections\/","url_meta":{"origin":14015,"position":5},"title":"ELECTORAL COMMISSION ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR OMORO BY-ELECTIONS","author":"UgandaUpdate","date":"May 17, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The Electoral Commission has issued a statement in which it has given new guidelines to manage the hotly contested Omoro by-elections. According to the statement signed by the EC Chairman , Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama , campaign meetings will commence at 7:00am and end at 6:00pm on each of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Party Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Party Politics","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/party-politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/byabakama2021.jpg","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc0aOV-3E3","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14015"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14017,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14015\/revisions\/14017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}