Uganda Editors’ Guild, the representative body of news editors, has decided to temporarily lift the ban on covering government activities. This decision comes following an invitation extended to media stakeholders by State House and the Office of the Prime Minister to address concerns regarding the directive to allocate government advertising exclusively to its own media outlets.

Sylvia Nankya, the secretary of the Guild, conveyed in a press release that they view this invitation as a positive step towards finding a viable resolution to the issue. The Guild is eager to participate in the discussions scheduled for August 10.

The press release states, “The Guild welcomes the invitation to engage in finding a more feasible solution to the problem and has graciously accepted to take part in these discussions. As a demonstration of our commitment to press freedom and reconciliation, the Guild announces the temporary lifting of the boycott on government press briefings and coverage, effective immediately.”

Other media advocates, such as the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), have also suspended their boycott temporarily.

In related developments, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has directed the parliament’s ICT committee to examine the matter in preparation for the forthcoming meeting with the President.