Journalists trained in election reporting ahead of 2026 general election

14 August 2025, 18:57

The two-day training, held at Oxford Inn Hotel in Mbarara City, was organized by the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) with support from the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (VIKES). It aimed at strengthening the capacity of young journalists to report on general elections effectively and ethically, while ensuring their safety in the field.

Story by Uziah Tusaasire

Mbarara City – Over 15 journalists from the districts of Mbarara, Kiruhura, Bushenyi, Kabale, and Rubanda have undergone intensive training on election reporting, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to cover elections professionally, safely, and responsibly.

The two-day training, held at Oxford Inn Hotel in Mbarara City, was organized by the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) with support from Vikes. It aimed at strengthening the capacity of young journalists to report on general elections effectively and ethically, while ensuring their safety in the field.

 

Laila Ndagire, the Project Officer and trainer with UMWA, revealed that journalists in the Ankole and Kigezi sub-regions still lack adequate skills in effective electoral reporting and safety measures.

“Journalists’ lives are at risk, especially with the 2026 general election approaching. We’ve already witnessed cases during previous by-elections where journalists were brutalized, their equipment destroyed, and in some cases abducted,” Ndagire noted.

She further said the media is a powerful tool in elections. If misused, it could destabilize the country, especially in this social media era. It is vital for journalists to remain professional, fact-check, and counter false information online.

She called on the Electoral Commission to engage with journalists and provide them with timely and accurate information, and urged security agencies to protect rather than harm journalists to ensure a smooth flow of credible election coverage.

Catherine Alapat, Project Coordinator with UMWA, explained that the training is part of a one-year “Women in Media” project, supported by Vikes, aimed at promoting diverse, inclusive, and high-quality reporting that reaches wider audiences, including marginalized groups.

She said the project covers the Northern, Central, and Western regions of Uganda and focuses on training journalists in election coverage, safety, and security—especially in the wake of the Kawempe North by-election, where several journalists were targeted by security operatives.

Journalists Welcome the Training

Coslin Kayiira, a reporter with Spark TV in Ankole, warned about the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation on social media, which she described as a major threat to credible journalism and public trust.

Sophan Niwamanya, a reporter with Peak FM in Kabale, said the training came at the right time, especially after tense incidents during the recent NRM primaries in Kigezi, which saw emotions flare, tensions rise, and fights break out at polling stations.

Praise Ainerukundo, a journalist with BFM Radio in Bushenyi, who will be covering her first general election in 2026, said she is now confident in her ability to report safely and professionally.

According to the electoral commission the general elections are scheduled to be held on the 12 January 2026