Celebrating Monitor at 30

Habib Sseruwagi

What you need to know:

‘‘The publication has routinely exposed corruption and mismanagement of funds meant to benefit all Ugandans"

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) celebrates the Daily Monitor’s journey of 30 years in ensuring equal opportunities in Uganda. 
The EOC is a government body charged with eliminating discrimination and marginalisation in Uganda. EOC is also mandated to advocate for affirmative action, especially for vulnerable groups of people, including younger people, women, older persons, persons with disability, and ethnic minorities, among other groups.

Daily Monitor is exactly 20 years older than EOC. We, therefore, deliberately refer to it as “big brother”.
The Daily Monitor has done a lot in the field of promoting equal opportunities for all Ugandans through sensitisation on marginalisation and discrimination, coupled with the promotion of affirmative action, especially for the marginalised groups. This, they have done in several ways.

One of the ways the newspaper has promoted equal opportunities for Ugandans is through the Monitor Bus of Excellence, a corporate social responsibility project and scholarship programme. This programme has seen many vulnerable bright children, who would otherwise miss education because of financial constraints, realise their dreams. 
The programme has seen beneficiaries from all regions of the country.  Under the same programme, the beneficiaries are not only provided with an education but also mentorship. Some have even got their first jobs at the company after completing school. 

We are also aware of how Daily Monitor has exemplarily ensured gender balance not only on its board but also in the newsroom. The recent appointment of Ms Susan Nsibirwa, Ms Harriet Nabakooza Musoke, and Dr Emilly Comfort Maractho as members of the board of governors is a  testament that Monitor knows that “what man can do, a woman can do!” 
 Still, on the issue of gender balance, the publication has over time trained, mentored, and employed a plethora of women. This has provided these gallant women a platform to showcase their talents and potential. 
Additionally, the Daily Monitor helps check government in terms of gender and equity to ensure gaps of marginalisation and discrimination are exposed and hopefully plugged. This is done through truthful and evidence-based reporting on issues that concern Ugandans in all spheres of life.
 
The newspaper has also continued to uncover information regarding the wrongs that are most likely to pose a threat to the vulnerable sections of society with a view of rectifying them and averting potential mishaps. The publication has routinely exposed corruption and mismanagement of funds meant to benefit all Ugandans, especially the vulnerable.  
In the last 30 years, the Daily Monitor has provided the “truth every day” to vulnerable groups. In doing so, the media house has directly sensitised the various sections of society on matters that concern their lives. 
It has also indirectly provided affirmative action and promoted equal opportunities through the advertisement of jobs, business opportunities, entrepreneurship skills, and many other opportunities. All these have gone a long way in ensuring all Ugandans who read the newspaper  benefit.  
   
Through the various sections of the newspaper such as the opinions, supplements, and newspaper articles, among others, the Daily Monitor has time and again provided a platform for all Ugandans, regardless of religion, culture, gender and social standing, to freely express their opinions to the wider public. Now, this is what they call giving equal opportunity to all. 
EOC would like to wish the Daily Monitor all the best as it celebrates 30 years of its existence. 
The writer, Mr Habiib Sseruwagi is a political analyst and member of Equal Opportunities Commission.  [email protected]