Sharp disputed has erupted between journalists under their umbrella body the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) and the State House Patriotism Secretariat team headed by Commissioner Hellen Seku, arising from accusations of data mis use by the patriotism secretariat.
Journalists accuse Seku’s team of exercising un fettered invasion on their privacy, which has since then prompted UJA to warn taking a legal action against them, according to the statement released by the UJA president Mathias Rukundo on Wednesday.
Herewith is the full statement in verbatim:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
STATEMENT ON ALLEGED STATE HOUSE EMPLOYEE CALLS TO UJA MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Our attention has been drawn to the ongoing actions by some individuals claiming to be State House Patriotism Secretariat staff, going around calling the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) members across the country, tasking them to provide their personal information to their office.
Some of the staff have been Introducing themselves as Dr. Ogwang Francis using the phone number; 0748 249 263 and Mr. Emmanuel Oyite using; 0774 113 182, all claiming to be working under the State House Patriotism Secretariat.
In the course of doing so, they have been making a claim that the journalist’s solicited data will be used by their Secretariat to open up SACCOS for their benefit.
On questioning their actions and intentions as suspect, some of the contacted journalists have reached out our teams with complaints, inquiring whether the Association is involved.
The Uganda Journalists Association would therefore, like to inform all its esteemed members that it is not involved in that alleged Scheme. We caution our members and media practitioners to disregard it with all contempt it deserves.
Our legal team has equally been instructed to take stock of the same and act accordingly.
The Uganda Journalists Association reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and holding duty bearers accountable.
Mathias Rukundo, President
Uganda Journalists Association (UJA).
Dated, Wednesday, 31 December, 2025.
