SOROTI CITY, 26 October 2025 — Journalists in the Teso Subregion, under their umbrella association, Teso Journalists for Community Empowerment [TEJFOCE], have launched a savings initiative aimed at improving their livelihoods and promoting financial independence.
The decision was reached during a meeting held on Monday at Hyde Park in Soroti City, where members resolved to adopt a culture of saving as a way to fight poverty and reduce reliance on handouts, a practice they said undermines their dignity and professionalism.
Established in 2023, TEJFOCE brings together over 80 journalists from various media houses in the Teso Subregion, with the goal of enhancing collaboration and synergy within the media fraternity. The savings scheme, however, is a new addition to their agenda.
Under the new arrangement, each member will pay a one-off membership fee of Shs 10,000, an annual subscription of Shs 10,000, and contribute Shs 50,000 as monthly savings. At the end of each year, members will be allowed to withdraw only half of their total savings.
TEJFOCE Chairperson, Emmanuel Opio, emphasised the importance of financial independence in restoring public confidence in journalism.
“Journalists must prioritise independence and professionalism in their work,” Opio said. “We must break free from reliance on handouts if we are to uphold our integrity as professionals.”
He further urged members to embrace the saving culture as a pathway to personal development and economic empowerment.
Grace Emma Amoding, a journalist with Teso Broadcasting Services and member of TEJFOCE, described the initiative as a potential “game changer” for journalists in the region.
“The savings scheme will encourage financial discipline and provide a safety net for members,” she noted. “By saving together, we can access loans on favourable terms, invest in our professional growth, and start personal income-generating projects.”
Kenneth Odele, a journalist with NTV Uganda and TEJFOCE member, called on the association’s leaders to ensure transparency and accountability in managing the funds. He also urged members to honour their loan obligations to sustain the initiative.
“Professionalism is about responsibility,” Odele said. “Let us keep it real, transparent, and maintain clean financial records.”
Economic factors profoundly affect journalists in Uganda by creating financial instability that compromises their independence, encourages corruption, and undermines the quality of reporting. Low and inconsistent pay, along with a shift in advertising revenue, make journalists vulnerable to manipulation from both the government and private entities.
Further a recent research study showed that Journalists in Uganda are among the lowest-paid professionals, with many earning less than US$ 280 per month. Financial strain is particularly severe in rural areas, where many journalists earn less than US$ 140 per month and face high costs of living.
https://thecooperator.news/journalists-urged-to-plan-for-retirement/
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