In a bid to bring the concerns of marginalized communities to the forefront of the electoral discourse, Northern Uganda Media Club in partnership with DiploBrief, Friends of Zoka, Solidarity Uganda, and National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), has launched a transformative project that will strengthen community media, digital safety and civic engagement ahead of Uganda’s election 2026 to amplify the voices of women, children, persons with disabilities, and youth.
The project, dubbed “more strategic use of media and communication”, which aims to raise issues affecting groups in mainstream society and frame them as election demands, will focus on key areas such as land rights, climate justice, environmental degradation and access to justice.
During the launch, Alfred Oryem, the Project Coordinator says through a multi-faceted approach, the project will empower community digital ambassadors to champion the causes of their communities using digital storytelling and social media.
“We intend to bring our demands to the politicians rather than the other way around, said Oryem, highlighting the project’s goal of holding elected leaders accountable for their promises,” He said.
He further says in order to achieve this, the project will have five key components, including a community digital ambassadors program, grants for journalists, a secure media hub, digital campaigns and radio broadcasting.
According to Oryem, the project will also prioritize the protection of journalists and human rights defenders by providing them with access to legal services and support.
He however says with a presence in Northern Uganda and partnerships across the border in Kenya, the project aims to generate enough noise to get the attention of political actors and push them to act on pressing issues.
“We are facing serious threats that come with climate change, lack of access to justice for women and children and unemployment for the youth,” Oryem noted. This project aims to bring these issues to the fore and amplify them in a way that creates impact”
The launch of the project marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and hold leaders accountable for their actions. As Oryem aptly put it, “ We have a dream to collaborate and work together to amplify the voices of these groups and communities.”
Northern Uganda Media Club Board Member, Innocent Aloyo suggests that candidates should focus on tree planting to ensure they are not just sitting under the shade.
She recommends planting at least 20 trees before addressing gatherings making it a routine practice.
Dickens Otim, team leaders Solidarity Uganda further says these project will amplify the voices of the people during the 2026 election.
“We want to see a campaign that focuses on cardinal issues such as environment, climate change, land rights, and women’s rights,” he said.
He argue that politicians should be mindful of small things such as planting wine seedlings as they are threatened by climate change.
Auric Oryem, the assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Gulu District, emphasized the importance of getting facts first before reporting, as journalists are professional individuals and should not rush to destroy information.
He urged journalists to maintain professionalism in reporting, especially during political seasons and not be sponsored to destroy people.
Oryem highlighted the importance of impartiality in reporting, cautioning journalist to desist from biased reporting that could be criminalized by the law.
Oryem also called for the interest group to be put first in planning, emphasizing the need for journalists to be cautious and focused on their work even if it means putting the interests of others first.
Peter Banya, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Laroo-Pece Division Gulu City, expressed disappointment with the lack of debate among journalists and the Acholi sub-region’s biggest problem.
He however says journalists should investigate poverty and use their platform to address the issue.
He further emphasized, the importance of getting facts first and maintaining professionalism in reporting, especially during political seasons, urging journalists to be cautious and focused on their work while also acknowledging the importance of the interest group in the community.
Banya emphasizes the importance of shaping debates to create impact and solve problems encouraging journalist to shape debates on poverty eradication in Acholi, stating that they are fighting poverty and forming solidarity with those fighting the issue.
