Lango journalists urged to form SACCOs
OYAM, June 10, 2024 – Benson Walter Dila Oyuku, Oyam District LCV Chairman has advised journalists in Lango Sub-region to form Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs] if they are to benefit from the government programmes.
Dila was addressing journalists recently during the belated World Press Freedom celebration organised by West Lango journalists under the umbrella of Northern Uganda Rural Community Journalists’ Network at Macodwogo Hub in Oyam town council.
The journalists asked to be given affirmative action to benefit from the Parish Development Model [PDM], a request Dila promised to push forward and urged journalists to popularise the programme initiated to fight household poverty.
“I know most of the radio owners don’t pay journalists well and that is the reason why most of you are languishing in poverty. I want to encourage you to form SACCO if you want to benefit from the government programs,” he said.
Chris Woo, Chairman of the journalists’ association, and a news editor at Shine F.M in Oyam district said journalists are being denied access to benefit government programmes, “Imagine in the first phase of PDM none of the journalists in Oyam benefited leave alone Emyooga and other programsme. This is quite embarrassing and we appeal for consideration because we are also Ugandans,” he said.
Speaking at the event, William Komakech, Oyam Resident District Commissioner pledged to make follow up on the concerns of the journalists and ensure that they are considered as beneficiaries of the programmes, especially Emyooga programme which identifies journalists as being one of the beneficiary specialised groups.
“I will follow up on the concern but my advice to is that please join the Parish SACCOs,” he said.
Remain professional
Jasper Okello, Patron of journalists in West Lango urged the scribes to remain professional while executing their duties despite the challenges encountered during the practice.
“With the advantage internet has provide, I want to encourage comrade to uterlize it well. Always fact check and verify information before publishing. As a journalist, its imperative to uphold ethical condes of consuct at all times even when there are challenges on ground,” he said.
Last week, Journalists in West Lango under their umbrella of Northern Uganda Rural Community Journalism Network convened in Oyam district for the belated Word Press Freedom Day.
The journalists planted over 100 treex in Oyam town council headquarters and cleaned Moo-cwari market in Oyam town council.
Every 3rd of May, journalists across the world celebrate World Press Freedom Day and this year’s celebration was under a theme, ”A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of environmental crisis”.
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