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Some of the journalists attending the session in Mbarara
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By Jovita Hasto
MBARARA
Journalists from various media houses in the Ankole sub-region have completed a three-day training on election reporting, with a call to uphold professionalism, safety, and ethical standards in their work. The training, held from Monday, August 11 to Wednesday, August 13 at Adit Mall in Mbarara City, brought together reporters from Mbarara City, Kabale, Bushenyi, and Kazo. Participants were equipped with skills to mitigate risks that may arise while covering elections, with facilitators stressing the importance of safety protocols and adherence to ethical guidelines during political coverage.
Ms. Laila Ndagire, a facilitator from the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), led a session on fact-checking, introducing journalists to digital tools to help them distinguish fabricated content from credible information. “This will make reporters less vulnerable to being used as channels for misinformation,” she said. “As a journalist, you need to use your senses and judgment to tell fake information from the truth. It is easy to observe and analyse before making a decision.”
Ms Laila Ndagire engaging journalists on safety measures during the training in Mbarara
She also cautioned against the misuse of photographs, warning that downloading and using images without proper accreditation could lead to legal consequences.
“Always credit photo captions to the rightful owners. Publishing a photo without acknowledging the photographer can land you in trouble and give others a chance to dispute its authenticity,” she added.
Participants described the training as timely, especially ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Mr. Edson Kinene, a journalist with URN, said the sessions reinforced the importance of fact-checking.
“We should treat fact-checking tools as a necessity, not a luxury. They help us avoid publishing information that could backfire or lead to prosecution,” he said.
Mr. Uziah Tusasire of Radio 5 noted that election periods often present hostile environments for journalists.
“We are heading for tough times, and this training has prepared us mentally and practically. Covering elections, like the recent Kawempe North by-election, can be risky, so we must plan carefully and protect ourselves,” he said. Tusasire advised journalists to always assess the situation before entering tense political environments.
“When the situation is too risky, inform your editor. Your life comes first — you have families and responsibilities. No story is worth your life,” he emphasized.
Another participant, Mr. Javura Twijukye, warned that without proper training, journalists could lose the battle against misinformation, leaving the public dependent on unverified social media sources.
“Professional journalists must outdo unprofessional reporting. Through ethical and factual reporting, voters can make informed decisions,” he said.
The training aimed to prepare journalists for the volatile environment that often surrounds elections in Uganda, where political coverage can sometimes turn dangerous.
Torch Media Africa
