“Help us shape public opinion in the country,” Ofwono Opondo asks Lango journalists

Lira | Ofwono Opondo, Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, has urged journalists in the Lango sub-region to be proud of their country and share their stories with the world.

On Tuesday, while meeting with some members of the fourth estate from Lango in the Lira City Council boardroom, Ofwono, also the government spokesperson, advised journalists to be good information communicators and to have a broader perspective on the world in their writings and broadcasts.

 “You are not just a journalist, but a leader, because you shape a country’s opinion (Uganda). America is not in Lango; they will judge Uganda based on what you say, so you are more important than a government official,” Ofwono advised.

In response to a request for the establishment of a regional media centre, he stated that the world is “technologically and digitally interconnected,” implying that a physical regional media centre in Lango is unnecessary.

Ofwono assured journalists about some of the opportunities in government, citing the recent reshuffle of RDCs and RCCs, as well as the appointment of Assistants and Deputies.

He stated that over 40% of President Museveni’s appointees had previously worked in the media.

The media engagement centred on the challenges that journalists face, such as local government leaders’ refusal to provide information, media owners’ poor facilitation of newsrooms, and harassment by state actors.

Lawrence Emmy Egole, Resident City Commissioner of Lira, praised journalists’ work in popularising government programmes despite challenges both within the media organisation and on the ground, in his closing remarks.

The RCC pledged his complete support for protecting journalists from all forms of harm while on the job, and he urged those in positions of authority to recognise the critical role journalists play in community development.

The Uganda Media Centre is currently on a regional tour to meet journalists and discuss challenges, potential solutions, and how to best shape the country through information communication.

By Felix Omara.