The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, has said the future of journalism in Uganda will depend on innovation, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, fact-checking, and maintaining public trust.
Lumumba made the remarks on Friday while addressing the Uganda Editors’ Convention 2026, held under the theme, “Reimagining Media Viability: Innovation, Independence, and Public Trust.”
“I am delighted to address the Uganda Editors’ Convention 2026 under the theme, ‘Reimagining Media Viability: Innovation, Independence, and Public Trust.’ The future of journalism depends on innovation, AI skills, fact-checking and public trust. Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment,” Lumumba said.
The minister commended the media for its continued role in promoting government programmes, highlighting the Parish Development Model (PDM) as an example of initiatives that have benefited from widespread media coverage.
“I applaud the media for their role in promoting government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model. Through factual and timely reporting, journalists help more Ugandans understand, access and benefit from such programmes,” she said.
Lumumba emphasized that ethical journalism remains fundamental to Uganda’s national development and transformation agenda.
“Ethical journalism is central to national transformation,” she noted, adding that the government recognizes the media as a key partner in informing citizens, promoting accountability and supporting national development.
The three-day Uganda Editors’ Convention brought together editors, media owners, journalism trainers and technology experts to discuss how newsrooms can adapt to changing audience demands, embrace artificial intelligence, strengthen financial sustainability and safeguard editorial independence.
According to the organizers, the convention aims to equip media leaders with practical tools to navigate rapid technological disruption, combat misinformation and disinformation, restore public confidence in journalism, and build resilient and sustainable news organizations.
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