By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Masaka, Uganda: Winfred Masiko the National Programme Coordinator of Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) at Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development reckoned the significance of media in giving visibility to development programmes and educating the population in different spheres.
“We are delighted that media has accepted to partner with us because they are fundamental partners in development every sector need”. Said Matsiko.
As National Coordinator of UWEP, during media discourse in Masaka on Sunday, Masiko revealed that they are to disburse about Ugx. 34bn from Bank of Uganda that was recovered as revolving fund to Ugandans all over the country.
Winfred Masiko the National Programme Coordinator of Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) at Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
‘This money will be disbursed according to what has been recovered from local governments’.
She said that for Masaka, they have recovered Ugx.60million for Youths Livelihood Program (YLP) and Ugx.14million for Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP).
She implored youths in Masaka to embrace government programmes like YLP, use it appropriately to develop themselves.
“We are now sensitizing Uganda’s population on the two programs. The programs are still operational and people should apply for them and we ask media to also involve themselves because programmes are for all Ugandans regardless of what they do”. Masiko stated.
At the discourse on Sunday, Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi the Deputy Resident City Commissioner Masaka City in charge of Kabonera Division stressed that it is inevitable for the government to function very well without the fourth estate as it holds it accountable as well disseminating information about its activities.
In this regard, Mr. Kateregga agreed that criticism on government from media is sometimes needed as this helps them to check how they have been running activities and improve.
As a veteran journalist, he implored active journalists to exhibit a saving culture that will help them to have a base at the time when they will be out of the profession.
He added that it is always important for journalists to specialize in the area of reporting as this will help them to acquire and seek for more knowledge about the subject matter hence producing life changing stories.
Daily Monitor weekly Columnist on farming Mr. Michael J. Ssali asked journalists to interest themselves in search for new knowledge through reading intensively on relevant topic such that they have a wider scope of ideas as they execute their profession.
He said that they need to shift from conventional stories rather look at digging deep into stories to unearth facts that will in the end influence policy makers to intervene for the development of Uganda’s economy and for their relevance to be felt.
Kiyimba Richard the Administrative Secretary at Uganda Journalists’ Association (UJA) and the organizer of the Media discourse in Masaka told Umoja Standard that the secretariat has embarked on journalism development tour aimed at engaging journalists allover Uganda, showing them attachment, they have to the association.
He said that “Journalists are spread allover the country so touring their regions is the only way they can be known to each other as well receiving challenges they face in order to work on them”.
He said that the association will always partner with different Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (NGOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and others to spread this initiative to journalists all over the country.