The Unseen Struggles Of Uganda’s Female Journalists During The COVID-19 Lockdown
Being a journalist in Uganda is already complex,for
female journalists, especially freelancers, the challenges multiply. When the
COVID-19 pandemic triggered a nationwide lockdown in 2020, the cracks in
Uganda’s media industry widened—revealing the harsh realities of gender
inequality, economic uncertainty and policy-driven exclusion.
The movement permit Crisis: Who Gets to Tell the Story?
Uganda’s COVID-19 lockdown included a total suspension of
public transport and non-essential movement. Journalists, considered essential
workers, were only allowed to move if they had a government-issued movement
permit—popularly referred to as a "sticker." These stickers were
allocated to media employers, who in turn decided which of their staff would be
permitted to work.
In most newsrooms, this decision-making process skewed
heavily in favor of men. Those with personal vehicles or willing to sleep at
the station were prioritized, while women—particularly freelance
journalists—were often excluded.
Keno Lilian – Newsroom Leadership, Gender Blind Spots
As Chief News Editor at Radio One, one of Uganda’s top radio
stations, Keno Lilian had a front-row seat to the inner workings of media
management during the crisis.
“We had very few movement permits, and management prioritized those who
could ride bicycles, own vehicles or stay overnight at the station—mostly men.
There was a silent assumption that women couldn’t handle the pressure,”
she shared.
Despite her senior role, Lilian found herself unable to fully influence the decisions. “The lockdown exposed what we don’t say aloud: that we still don’t see women as resilient or capable enough to lead in times of crisis.”
Eva Namugabi – The Invisible Freelance Majority
Freelance radio journalist Eva Namugabi was hit hard when
newsroom budgets were slashed. Without a contract, she was ineligible for a
movement sticker—and therefore, unable to work.
“I earn per story. But when COVID hit, I couldn’t move, couldn’t file,
and couldn’t get paid. The system erased me overnight,” she said. “It
was like we didn’t exist—no contracts, no transport, no safety net.”
Eva’s situation mirrored that of countless freelance journalists across the country. Her story is a sobering reminder of how Uganda’s media economy continues to undervalue freelance contributors—many of whom are women.
Veronica Kayanga – A Decade of Work, No Recognition
Court reporter Veroca Kayanga has been working with her
media house for over ten years—yet she’s never been placed on permanent staff.
“For over a decade I’ve delivered headline stories. But never been
considered for a contract,” she recalled. “I walked for hours every day just
to survive—because if I didn’t file, I didn’t eat.”
Veroca’s commitment came at a high cost. She developed
complications in her legs due to the long distances she walked daily. “Even
then, I had to keep moving. Because in freelance media, there’s no sick
leave—only silence and struggle.”
Nalujja Shamshad – Fear, Isolation, and Silent Bravery
Health reporter Nalujja Shamshad stood out for her fearless
coverage of quarantine centers, treatment units, and the frontlines of the
pandemic.
“No one wanted to go near COVID stories. People even avoided me, afraid
I’d infect them,” she shared. “But I kept going—because the story mattered,
even if I didn’t.”
Her work earned her one of the rare movement stickers, but
at an emotional cost. “I reported every day, but I cried alone most
nights. We celebrated the coverage, but no one asked how the reporter was doing.”
Fleriah Nalwanga – Gendered Management Decisions
As station manager at Impact Radio and Dream Television,
Fleriah Nalwanga had to make painful decisions during the lockdown. She quickly
realized that women staff bore the brunt of downsizing.
“Departments with more women—marketing, admin, production—were hit
first. We could only keep those who could live on-site. All were men,”
she admitted. “And the saddest part? Some of those women may never return to media
work.”
Fleriah pushed for change, but cultural expectations and
logistics made it difficult. “We assumed women wouldn’t manage overnight
shifts or rough conditions. That thinking cost us not just talent, but progress.”
When Storytellers Are Silenced
A 2020 UNESCO report found that only 24% of media
professionals in Uganda are women, with few in leadership roles. The Media
Council of Uganda noted that over 60% of freelance journalists were unable
to work during the COVID-19 lockdown, primarily due to lack of movement
stickers and newsroom support.
These statistics tell a troubling story—but they only
scratch the surface. The real losses were emotional, professional, and personal.
Uganda’s female journalists were not just underpaid and undervalued—they were
systematically excluded from the most vital storytelling moment of their
careers.
“We didn’t just lose work—we lost visibility, voice, and value,” said Lilian. “And it will take more than recovery—it will take reimagining the newsroom.”
Defending the Defenders: A Call to Action
If the media is truly the backbone of democracy, then it
must also defend its own. Women journalists must be seen, heard, protected, and
empowered—not just in peacetime, but especially in crisis.
We must ask ourselves: Who tells the story when the
storytellers are silenced?
Key Recommendations:
- Media
houses should adopt gender-responsive crisis protocols.
- Freelance
journalists deserve contracts, fair pay, and emergency support.
- Movement
permits and field access must reflect gender balance.
- Post-COVID recovery efforts in media should prioritize inclusion and equity.
About the Author:
Nankwanga Eunice Kasirye is a Ugandan media consultant, journalist, and
communications strategist. She leads the “Defending the Defenders”
investigative series, amplifying the voices of women journalists and frontline
communicators.
Comments
Post a Comment