Namutumba, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Bukono constituency Member of Parliament, has called for a police investigation into the recipients of Emyooga funds designated for journalists in Namutumba district.
Namuganza’s request was made during the belated Press Freedom Day celebrations in Namutumba district on Monday 27, May 2024 morning.
This action followed a complaint by Joseph Sooka, the chairperson of the Namutumba Journalists Association (NAJA), who alleged that despite Namutumba having three constituencies, each entitled to a journalist’s Emyooga SACCO, local leaders obstructed their attempts to access these funds.
Sooka pointed out that Namutumba hosts 50 journalists from both regional and national media outlets. They had established two SACCOs in anticipation of receiving part of the 90 million shillings allocated for journalists in the district. However, they later discovered that the funds had been diverted to other individuals.
Sooka expressed frustration over the inability to audit those who fraudulently obtained district approval for Emyooga funds. He noted that officials repeatedly asked for more time to conduct comprehensive inquiries, which has prolonged the process for years and eroded any hope of accessing the funds.
Namuganza stressed that journalists, as citizens, deserve access to government funds like Emyooga, and it is unjust for these funds to be redirected elsewhere. She emphasized that such funds were meant to enhance journalists’ incomes, supplementing their often modest earnings.
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Jane Namukuve, the Namutumba community liaison officer, committed to pursuing the matter with the institution’s investigative unit to ensure accountability for the funds intended for journalists.
Namukuve highlighted that journalists play a crucial role in mobilizing the community against fraud, and it is the police’s duty to investigate any corruption involving money allocated for these “watchdogs.”
Namuganza also raised concerns about the possibility of journalism being infiltrated by saboteurs paid by detractors to blackmail others for financial gain.
