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The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has launched a scathing attack on Parliament, accusing the legislative body of a “deliberate attack on press independence” after security officers denied access to NTV Uganda reporters and stripped them of their accreditation.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, has sparked outrage within the media fraternity and raised fresh concerns about the shrinking space for press freedom in Uganda. According to reports, a crew from the Nation Media Group (NMG), which operates NTV Uganda, was blocked from entering Parliament and had their accreditation cards confiscated. The security officers acted on unspecified “instructions not to let them in,” without providing an official reason for the ban.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Wednesday, October 29, UJA Secretary General Emmanuel Kirunda condemned the action as a “blatant attempt to muzzle media freedom and silence independent journalism.”
“The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) strongly condemns in the harshest terms the reported action by the administration of Parliament of Uganda to bar Nation Media Group journalists… from indefinitely covering parliamentary proceedings,” Kirunda stated.
He emphasized that the move directly violates Articles 29(1)(a) and 41 of the Ugandan Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and the right to access information. Kirunda argued that Parliament, as a public institution funded by taxpayers, must remain open to scrutiny.
“Parliament, as the people’s House, is a public institution funded by taxpayers and must remain open to scrutiny and coverage by all accredited media platforms without discrimination or intimidation,” he said.
The UJA framed the incident not as an isolated event, but as part of a “growing trend of hostility toward journalists.” Kirunda linked the Parliament blockade to a recent incident where Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine allegedly harassed a Galaxy TV journalist, leading to his arrest.
The association warned that such actions fundamentally undermine democracy and accountability, stating that the media’s role in covering the legislature is a constitutional duty, not a privilege.
“Any move to restrict media access to Parliament is, therefore, an affront to the sovereignty of the people and a step backwards in Uganda’s democratic journey,” the UJA statement read.
To resolve the escalating situation, the UJA has presented a set of demands to Parliament. These include the immediate and unconditional lifting of the ban on NMG journalists and a formal clarification from the Office of the Speaker to dispel speculation. The association also called for the establishment of transparent and non-discriminatory media access policies that respect journalistic independence.
Declaring that “freedom of the press is not negotiable,” the UJA pledged solidarity with all journalists working under increasingly restrictive conditions and warned that it would announce its next course of action if its demands are not met. The standoff places a spotlight on the tense relationship between state institutions and the media in Uganda.
