Ugandan Journalists ‘Innocent and Naïve’ during Patriotism Discourse

By Alex Gahima and Banabasi Kamusiime

As the 2026 general elections draw nearer, the Internal Security Organization (ISO) has advised Ugandan Journalists, especially those in Kigezi region to choose the side of defending Uganda’s sovereignty over foreign interests that have been planted into the country’s fabric.

Emmy Katabazi, the Deputy Director General, Internal Security Organization (DDGISO), conducted a lecture, over the weekend with Journalists from Kisoro, Rubanda, Kabale and Rukungiri districts in a bid to inspire and persuade the ‘fourth Estate’ in Uganda to serve the people more pro- actively instead of exposing the Nation’s weakness.

“It is only in Africa, where journalists and the media are innocent and naïve about the true workings of Political engineering”, Katabazi said.

Katabazi said the general perception of the Internal Security Organization is that it is comprised of spies, like in the western movies.

This is simply misinformation, Katabazi explained.

The duty of the Internal Security Organization is to detect, prevent and curtail enemy subversive activities in the country using known established Government Structures, including the DISO, GISO and PISO.

“These trained officers are people known to you in your communities and you can trust them with information vital to National Security. We do not engage in suspicious kidnappings of our citizens, using drones and we do not betray the trust of the Ugandans for political motives, Katabazi emphasized.

The engagement was a humbling experience for most journalists from the region who largely portrayed childlike innocence except for a few seasoned Journalists.

Katabazi, who was light on his feet and audible enough without the support of a microphone was imbued with historical factors about scramble and partition of Africa and modern-day neo- colonialism.

“Am aware that most journalists pretend to be busy with work. I am also aware that the working conditions in most private media stations are not favorable, but I encourage to read, research and do not fall for the gimmicks of the foreign powers that do not wish Ugandans and Africans true success, Katabazi said.

Katabazi promised a training session for Kigezi Journalists that will include patriotism classes and other additional skills, necessary for nation building.

Issues of Journalist brutality from security agencies, low remuneration and lack of direction, training and mentorship were raised by the journalists.

Director of Media, Captain Edmond Turyatunga said Ugandan media need to desist from publishing fake news that discredits the Government.

He noted that Artificial Intelligence (A.I) is the future therefore journalist need to invest time and resources in getting oriented in how to use it to promote Uganda and the NRM 10-point program.