Media council accreditation directive illegal - Court
The High Court has dismissed directives by the Media Council of Uganda that require journalists to register to cover the ongoing general election and other state events. Justice Esther Nambayo also issued a permanent injunction against the Media Council's attempt to start registration of journalists without a fully functioning National Institute of Journalists of Uganda (NIJU) after the Uganda Editors; Guild petitioned against the move. The Guild cited the lack of a legal mandate by the Media Council and the fear that the exercise would fundamentally infringe on the rights of freedom of expression in the country.