Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has offered Ush100 million (Sh3.5 million) to journalists in the Busoga region, highlighting concerns about their low pay and potential susceptibility to external influences. This gesture, delivered during an interactive session on Thursday, was framed as an effort to “immunise” media professionals from undue influence, as Museveni described them as “mercenaries” due to their challenging financial circumstances.
“You work for poor radios and you are not well-paid. I want to immunise you with Ush100,000,000,” Museveni remarked in a video that has since circulated widely. His comments drew attention to the challenges faced by journalists working for underfunded outlets, particularly in rural areas.
The President’s meeting with journalists was part of his broader campaign to promote government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), aimed at fostering wealth creation in local communities. Museveni emphasized the importance of media in driving public awareness about these programs, despite his criticism of its misuse by what he called “negative elements” against the government.
“Although the media has been misused by negative elements against the government, our direct engagement with the public is demonstrating a positive reception of our ideas,” he added.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has prioritized media outreach in recent months, holding similar sessions in various regions to bridge gaps between his administration and the public. He believes engaging directly with journalists allows critical issues to surface and receive timely attention.
This move comes amid a backdrop of his long tenure as Uganda’s leader. Museveni, the third-longest consecutively serving non-royal national leader globally as of 2024, has played a significant role in Uganda’s political history. His journey began with political science studies at the University of Dar es Salaam, followed by activism and military engagement. He was pivotal in overthrowing Idi Amin’s regime in 1979 and later unified opposition forces during the Ugandan Bush War, culminating in his assumption of power in 1986.
While Museveni’s financial support for journalists has been praised by some as a recognition of their struggles, critics may view it as an attempt to curry favor with the media in an election-conscious era. Regardless, his outreach reflects the evolving role of media as a key conduit for government communication in Uganda.
