On November 2, journalists, reporters and newsrooms across the world will commemorate the annual International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI).
The 2026 commemoration will focus on safety, protection mechanisms, and addressing systemic threats to the press.
November 2 will draw attention to high rates of unsolved violence, harassment, imprisonment, and killings of media professionals worldwide, and to push for legal accountability against the perpetrators.
Locally in Uganda, journalists expect an end to impunity, drawing from the discussions and resolutions made when hundreds gathered in Lira City last year to commemorate the event.
Ahead of November 2, GLCSMS reached out to journalists and reporters, some of whom physically attended the UNESCO and ACME-supported event in Lira City, and here is what they said.
Shara Ejang, who reports for tndNews, Uganda, says November 2 should not just be a day where global organisations share statistics. “It must be a practical platform that actively engages journalists on the ground—like me —with real, actionable safety strategies.”
Ejang adds that the “arbitrary threats of arrest and targeted online abuse have taken dangerous tactics specifically designed to intimidate and force self-censorship.”
Facing these threats repeatedly is incredibly taxing, she adds. “… I shouldn’t have to navigate them without proper support systems.”
Matata Benjamin, a multimedia journalist with Voice of Life FM 100.9 Arua, says impunity remains a big concern in the media. “Journalists continue to face intimidation and harassment, especially while carrying out their lawful duties. In some cases, security personnel and public officials interfere with journalists simply because they are covering issues of public interest.”
Matata adds: “One of the major challenges is the intimidation and beating of journalists while reporting. There have also been cases where security operatives confiscate journalists’ working gadgets, including cameras, phones and audio recorders.
“Such actions interfere with journalists’ ability to gather and report information freely and deny access to information.”
Matata says he expects the next commemoration to go beyond speeches and focus on practical measures to address the challenges journalists face. “There should be stronger protection for journalists, accountability for those who violate their rights, and greater respect for press freedom.
“Particular attention should be given to media suppression and interference by state actors.”
Journalists play an important role in informing the public and holding institutions accountable, Matata noted. “They should therefore be allowed to perform their duties without intimidation, threats or unnecessary interference.”
According to Matata, ending impunity requires commitment from government, security agencies, media organisations and other stakeholders to protect journalists and uphold press freedom.
Ojok Santos, News Reporter with Daily Monitor and Radio Devine in Apac, said: “I was a victim of impunity against journalists. On April 2, 2026, I spent a night in police custody under the order of Apac RDC Andrew Onyuk.
“Onyuk went for a free radio talk show on Radio Divine 90.6 FM at the same time he had invited a team from Apac Municipal Council and the district department of health for a 1-hour talk show. He had over 10 people, yet the studio accommodates only five people.
Ojok narrated that RDC Onyuk had a disagreement with the station manager, but called the police, who arrested him who was in the newsroom. Ojok was working on news for the morning bulletin.
“I wasn’t part of their disagreement. I was charged with malicious damage.
“The following day, I was released on police bond, and the case has never progressed.”
Speaking about November 2, Ojok expects discussions on how journalists can be supported to get justice in case of any act of impunity.
“Currently, the organisations that have been supporting journalists are no longer there, and journalists have nowhere to go,” he told GLCSMS.
Apita Morish, working with Lango News Network, says he has seen acts of impunity against some journalists in Lira City.
“The first one was during the campaign period for the 2026 general election, where a journalist attached to Unity FM in Lira City was beaten while covering a campaign rally for the former Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi.
“Nothing was done about it, and it was reported to the police,” he said.
Also read: Statement on the arrest of Denis Arao while covering Local Council elections in Lira City, Uganda
“Another one was done this year during the LC1 election where a journalist attached to tndNews, Uganda, was also beaten while on duty, and nothing was done to those who beat him.”
The forthcoming commemoration, according to Apita, “should come with a way of helping journalists who are always beaten and the perpetrators are not brought to book.”
Isabella Awor Olong, a tndNews, Uganda, journalist, says all Ugandan authorities must ensure that there’s full participation and safety during elections. “During elections, there is always chaos; people are arrested and tortured. This has to stop.
“In Uganda, freedom of expression is increasingly under threat, mostly during campaigns and election time. During the previous elections, we saw our very own colleague being arrested. This clearly shows that there’s no freedom of expression in Uganda.”
Olong says if there were freedom of speech and expression, journalists would not be arrested and intimidated, with no justice at the end of the day.
She suggests that in the next commemoration, journalists should march on streets alongside those people working in public offices with T-shirts branded: “To end Impunity against Journalists.”
“Let us bring out the issues of impunity and the way forward.”