Parliament has blocked access to reporters from Daily Monitor and NTV, multiple sources at the two institutions have confirmed to us. The two organisations are part of the Nation Media Group, one of the biggest multi-media organisations in East Africa.
Chris Obore, the Director of Communications, said he had been informed that it was a “security matter.”
“I talked to security at Parliament, and they told me it was just a security issue. That is all I can say for now,” Obore said.
One of the affected reporters told Bbeg Media on condition of anonymity that when he approached the entrance, a security personnel, well known to him, said they had been given instructions from above to allow in reporters or video-journalists from NTV and Daily Monitor.
“They just turned us away the moment they saw your name tag,” said the reporter.
Another suspected that the decision could be related to the coverage of Bukedea parliamentary nominations by the two institutions, which questioned why Speaker Anita Among was unopposed.
Sam Ibanda Mugabi, the president of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA), said he had been contacted by a reporter from Daily Monitor but had yet to get the full details.
“I am confident we shall reach an understanding, but at the moment I am attending a workshop,” he said.
