Parliament makes U-turn on decision to kick-out journalists

Parliament has reversed a decision to ban senior journalists from covering its proceedings.
On Wednesday, Parliament angered the media by ordering the replacement of all reporters who have been covering the institution for more than five years.
In a March 9 letter to Ugandan media organisations, the Clerk to Parliament, Ms Jane Kibirige, argued the decision to bar seasoned reporters was "in the interests of balanced media coverage".
"This is therefore to request that you arrange for a replacement for all parliamentary reporters from your organisation who have been covering parliament since 2009," the letter from parliament said.
However, following widespread criticisms, deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah on Thursday reiterated that he was not party to a decision to stop 53 senior journalists from covering the House as the authorities struggled to explain away what some legislators called “an attack on press freedom.”
Mr Oulanya said the last time Parliament sat to discuss about media was on August 21, 2014 and the agenda was bad press.
This, according to him was followed by a breakfast meeting between the parliament commission and editors of respective media houses.
“Since then, Parliament has not sat to discuss issues of the press. This letter (purportedly issued by Parliamentary Commission and signed by the Clerk) should be treated as a mere letter. It’s command has no effect and its effect should be treated like no effect,” Mr Oulanya said on the floor of Parliament.