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- Dec 16, 2025
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Uganda’s media regulator, the Media Council of Uganda, has once again summoned The Observer, reigniting a long-running dispute that raises fresh concerns about press freedom and regulatory fairness.(Source: The Observer UG)
📸: Paul Ekochu, Chairperson Media Council of Uganda.
The latest summons, issued on April 8, 2026, revives a complaint linked to a March 2021 investigative story alleging diversion of health funds involving a senior government official.
At the time, The Observer says it fully complied with the Council’s demands—attending hearings, submitting evidence, and engaging with the complainant. By 2023, the newspaper believed the matter had been concluded and was awaiting a ruling that never came.
Now, years later, the case has been reopened, with the publication required to make fresh submissions.
Editor Robert Spin Mukasa has criticized the move, arguing that reopening the case without explanation undermines fairness and due process.
According to him, the paper had a legitimate expectation that the matter was closed after fulfilling all requirements.
The renewed pressure is not limited to the old case. The Media Council has also summoned The Observer over a separate 2024 article alleging that Members of Parliament were bribed to prevent the merger of certain government agencies.
The Council argues that such reporting could erode public trust in Parliament, describing the institution as “the cornerstone of Uganda’s democracy” and stressing that claims against it must be rigorously verified.
The development highlights ongoing tensions between the media and regulators in Uganda. The Media Council, mandated to enforce journalistic standards and arbitrate disputes, insists on accuracy and accountability.
However, for The Observer, the repeated summons especially over a case believed to be closed raises broader questions about press freedom, consistency in regulation, and the boundaries of investigative journalism.
The latest summons, issued on April 8, 2026, revives a complaint linked to a March 2021 investigative story alleging diversion of health funds involving a senior government official.
At the time, The Observer says it fully complied with the Council’s demands—attending hearings, submitting evidence, and engaging with the complainant. By 2023, the newspaper believed the matter had been concluded and was awaiting a ruling that never came.
Now, years later, the case has been reopened, with the publication required to make fresh submissions.
Editor Robert Spin Mukasa has criticized the move, arguing that reopening the case without explanation undermines fairness and due process.
According to him, the paper had a legitimate expectation that the matter was closed after fulfilling all requirements.
The renewed pressure is not limited to the old case. The Media Council has also summoned The Observer over a separate 2024 article alleging that Members of Parliament were bribed to prevent the merger of certain government agencies.
The Council argues that such reporting could erode public trust in Parliament, describing the institution as “the cornerstone of Uganda’s democracy” and stressing that claims against it must be rigorously verified.
The development highlights ongoing tensions between the media and regulators in Uganda. The Media Council, mandated to enforce journalistic standards and arbitrate disputes, insists on accuracy and accountability.
However, for The Observer, the repeated summons especially over a case believed to be closed raises broader questions about press freedom, consistency in regulation, and the boundaries of investigative journalism.
