By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The newly appointed Deputy inspector general of police Gen. Paul Lockech has revealed that Uganda Police with effect from today, shall only recognize journalists and media practitioners who are accredited by the Media Council to cover the political campaigns and other electoral events.
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In a statement titled ENFORCEMENT OF THE MEDIA COUNCIL GUIDELINES, the police is notifying the public that with effect from 31.12.2020, the police and sister security agencies shall recognize ONLY journalists and media practitioners who are accredited by the Media Council, during the coverage of political campaigns and other electoral events.
”The accreditation process that has been open to all media practitioners expires on 31.12.2020. As we had indicated in our communication of 14.12.2020, the accreditation will help us distinguish journalists who are compliant from those who are holding out,” reads part of the statement.
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Police further noted that the Media Council has generated a list of all journalists who have been accredited, registered and are compliant with valid Media Council press badges, which shall operate as a working tool by the bonafide journalists.
”All the accredited journalists and media practitioners must visibly wear their press badges at all times while covering the political campaigns and electoral events. They should also know that the media press badges are personalized and therefore, non-transferable.” the statement adds.
Lokech further reminded all accredited journalists that the zonal and territorial commanders have been availed the list of all successfully accredited journalists for ease of verification adding that this arrangement will help police accord journalists, better protection over the remaining electoral process.
