Journalists, UMC officials reflect on year of partnership at end-of-year party

21 December 2025, 11:56 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As the year draws to a close, various institutions and agencies across the country are holding end-of-year celebrations to mark achievements and milestones. In this spirit, journalists who cover activities at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) on Friday the 19th held their End-of-Year Media Party, celebrating shared achievements and partnerships built throughout the year.

The event marked the first end-of-year party in the history of Uganda Media Centre and attracted several media practitioners, particularly reporters from different media houses across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Acting Executive Director of UMC, Obed Katureebe, the Public Affairs Assistant David Serumaga commended journalists for consistently covering government engagements and urged them to maintain professionalism, especially as the country heads into the election period.

Serumaga appreciated journalists who initiated the idea, saying, “I thank Mwibo, Kato and others who came up with this idea. I also take this opportunity to thank you for the coverage you give to government. As we head into elections, be careful as you do your job.”

He also cautioned journalists about health risks, particularly HIV/AIDS, reminding them that vigilance remains important. “Our bodies are not immune to AIDS. AIDS still kills people, but it can be avoided,” he said.

Journalists who attended the event shared testimonies about their professional experiences. Abu Lubowa, a photojournalist with the Daily Monitor, thanked Uganda Media Centre for embracing the idea of organizing the party, describing it as a good initiative that should be sustained. He encouraged fellow journalists to prioritize their safety, especially when covering high-risk situations such as campaign rallies and riots.

During the celebration, journalists also took time to remember colleagues who passed away during the year, including Muhumuza of Nation Media and Kakooza of New Vision, among others.

Meanwhile, YY Bus Company Urges Passenger Patience Amid Christmas Travel Rush

Meanwhile, the Operations Manager of YY Bus Company, Musa, has urged passengers to remain patient during the ongoing Christmas travel rush.

Speaking to reporters in Kampala, Musa explained that although the company has enough buses, operations are constrained by government regulations that require buses to transport passengers at designated times and restrict route changes. He noted that these rules affect operations during peak seasons when many people travel upcountry for the holidays.

“As you can see, there are many passengers, but we cannot transport all of them at once despite having enough buses. This is due to government route and scheduling regulations,” he said, adding that the company continues to engage passengers to be patient.

Musa also clarified that bus fares have not been increased, despite the high demand during the festive season.