Dr Shaft Nasser Mukwaya, the Secretary to the EOC, addressing online journalists this Thursday.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has held a dialogue with online and digital media journalists aimed at promoting inclusive reporting and improving coverage of vulnerable and marginalised groups in Uganda.
The engagement sought to strengthen collaboration between the Commission and digital media practitioners in raising public awareness about discrimination, marginalisation, affirmative action and equal opportunities for all Ugandans.
Dr Shaft Nasser Mukwaya, the Secretary to the EOC, said digital media had become an essential channel for reaching the public and stakeholders, given its speed, accessibility and wide reach.
“Digital media has transformed how we communicate with the public. It offers us an opportunity to reach millions of Ugandans quickly and directly. If we are to effectively deliver our mandate, we must embrace these platforms and work closely with the journalists who use them to inform and engage the public,” Mukwaya said.
He noted that strategic partnerships with online media could help the Commission reach communities that might otherwise have limited access to information about their rights and available remedies against discrimination.
Yusuf Muziransa, the EOC Principal Information and Communications Officer, called on digital journalists to partner with the Commission in publicising its mandate, functions, programmes and interventions.
Yusuf Muziransa, the EOC Principal Information and Communications Officer, addressing online journalists this Thursday.
“The Commission has a broad mandate that touches the lives of many Ugandans, particularly those who experience discrimination and marginalisation. Unfortunately, public awareness of our work remains limited. We believe stronger collaboration with online media can help bridge this gap and ensure that more people understand their rights and know where to seek redress,” Muziransa said.
He urged journalists to give greater visibility to the experiences of vulnerable and marginalised communities, including women, persons with disabilities, older persons, children and other groups that face barriers to accessing opportunities and essential services.
Online journalists attending the dialogue this Thursday at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi.
Muziransa added that inclusive reporting should go beyond highlighting the challenges faced by these groups to also examine the structural barriers that exclude them from participating in and benefiting from Uganda’s social, economic, political and cultural development.
The dialogue provided an opportunity for the Commission and digital media practitioners to explore practical ways of working together to improve public understanding of equal opportunities and promote fair, accurate and inclusive representation of all people in the media.
The EOC expressed optimism that sustained engagement with online journalists would strengthen public awareness, increase visibility of its work and enable more Ugandans to benefit from its services.
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