A conflict has erupted between the Parliament administration and the reporters accredited to cover the institution over what has been described as “damaging and false stories”.
The legislative arm of government spent the first two hours of the plenary debate on Thursday discussing the recent media reports that Members say are only inclined to portray Parliament as a wasteful body.
According to Speaker Rebecca Kadaga many stories published recently are false.
“There was a story published saying Parliament took 78 MPs to the USA. Yet, there were only 26 members who went,” said Kadaga.
The Speaker also wants the media to focus on other arms of government especially the executive when matters of funds are to be exposed.
“I challenge media to publish the cost of new cars for Ministers, judiciary, before publishing about parliament.”
Meanwhile Tororo County legislator Annet Nyakecho said Parliament needs to move first and amend the Press and journalist Act, for media never publishes anything good about Parliament.
The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association promptly reacted by saying the move is only meant to shrink the media space and Parliament should go to court in case of any disagreement.
“Anyone who is aggrieved by a media story about parliament should do the most honourable thing of going to court,” said the President of the association, Isaac Imaka.