Kisoro Journalists, under their umbrella body, Kisoro United Journalists Association (KUJA) have threatened to boycott all Council meetings as well as covering Municipal activities after Journalists were tossed out of a council meeting.
The incident that occurred yesterday sparked a row among Journalists after Kisoro Municipal speaker Geoffrey Nkurunziza and Kisoro Municipal Mayor Richard Ndyana said the council would not proceed until all journalists cleared from the council hall.
Among the issues discussed included 15 million shillings facilitation meant for a study tour for councilors before the end of the year.
The councilors also raised the issue of garbage in the town which has continued to tarnish the image and possibility of Kisoro Municipality ever becoming a tourism town.
KUJA chairperson Ivan Ingabire said it is simply unacceptable for duly elected leaders and the technocrats to chase journalists from a council meeting, which by law is open to the public.
Ingabire explained that the journalism fraternity in the district resolved to ignore municipal council proceedings until they realize how important it is to improve their working relation with Journalists.
“Earlier this year, Kisoro municipal councilors proposed to have Mayor’s Gardens turned into a modern market and thanks to the Media and public uproar, the situation was saved, Ingabire explained.
He further noted that the decision to boycott the council meetings was not an easy one because the public will suffer at the hands of the information black out.
Article 29 of the Ugandan constitution guarantees protection of individual rights which include freedom of the press. The law states that every Ugandan has the right to inform and the freedom to express his thoughts.
Kisoro Mayor Richard Ndyana and his Speaker Geoffrey Nkurunziza were unavailable for a comment.
Vallence Kakungu, a resident in Kisoro Municipality said the decision by Kisoro media is going to negatively affect the public because they will not access information.
He also condemned the municipal leaders for not fulfilling their obligation of serving the people but are instead now seeking to satisfy their greed.
Several boda boda riders working in Kisoro Municipality said the leaders need to improve on their services and also work well with the media who continue to expose their successes and failures which in term help residents make informed decisions.
Discussion about this post