Kampala,Uganda – The Uganda Human Rights Commission has announced plans to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2026 during a press briefing held today at the Uganda Media Centre.
The national celebrations will take place on Sunday, 3rd May 2026, at the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Grounds. The event will feature a national commemorative walk, speeches, and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements in the media industry.
The event will be officiated by ICT and National Guidance Minister Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, alongside UHRC Chairperson Mariam Wangadya, Media Council of Uganda leaders, heads of media houses, and representatives of professional associations.
The day will begin with a national commemorative walk at 7:00 a.m., moving from UBC through the streets of Kampala before returning for the official ceremony and awards.
Speaking on behalf of the UHRC Chairperson, Commissioner Hon. Lamex Omara Apitta welcomed this year’s national theme: _“Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Development and Security in Uganda.”_
He emphasized that enabling journalists and the media to tell stories that promote peacebuilding, national unity, and development is essential for safeguarding human dignity and coexistence.
“Uganda has made progress in promoting media freedoms through legislation and growing tolerance of criticism,” Commissioner Omara said. “However, challenges persist on both sides. There have been instances where individuals in law enforcement and politics have overstepped legal limits in restricting media freedoms.”
He reassured the public that Uganda has conflict resolution mechanisms and reporting channels to ensure grievances are addressed.
“UHRC is working with actors under the Uganda Media Sector Working Group as part of our cardinal role to enhance public awareness about press freedom and to reaffirm this freedom as an essential foundation for peace, development, and security,” he added.
Through these collaborations, the Commission aims to enhance journalists’ safety, tackle impunity, and address digital threats, including gender-based harassment.
“Let us continue calling upon each other whenever there is just cause, because the protection and promotion of human rights cannot be achieved by lone runners, but with the concerted effort of everyone concerned pulling in the same direction. Let us give wise counsel to one another and critique, but not criticize,” Commissioner Omara advised.
He also highlighted the growing challenge of misinformation and deepfakes in the era of Artificial Intelligence. “In this era of Artificial Intelligence, where deepfakes can be difficult to distinguish from facts or realities on the ground, the media industry has an even greater responsibility to rebuild trust, credibility, and accountability through fact-checking, in order to avoid bias and misinformation that could lead to unnecessary conflict in society.”
Media professionals were urged to strengthen fact-checking, credibility, and accountability to rebuild public trust and prevent conflict fueled by misinformation.
Commissioner Omara noted that the commemoration will serve as a platform to reflect and dialogue on press freedom, promote journalists’ safety and welfare, and address physical and digital threats facing media professionals.
UHRC called on all stakeholders to work together to protect human rights and media freedom, noting that collective effort is required.
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