TRANSPARENCY: CoST Uganda Commissions 2nd Infrastructure Transparency Index
Shift Media News 
BY PATRICK JARAMOGI
Kampala, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| Journalists have been urged to specialize and have a niche on what they report about, Government Spokesman and Uganda Media Center Executive Director, Ofwono Opondo has suggested.
Ofwono Opondo made the call during a CoST Uganda organised Media Training on infrastructural transparency held at Fairway Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday.
presenting a paper “Theory versus practice, pros and cons of investigative journalism in public infrastructure projects” OO said most media houses in Uganda still don’t spend much on investigations.
“What I can see here is that most of you (participants) are from ‘small’ media houses. Such media houses are often profit-minded, they are not community-based media houses to have much interest investing in investigative journalism,” he said.
“It is very paramount that as a journalist you report what is factual and accurate. Always be objective, balanced and accurate so as to get credibility,” said Opondo a veteran journalist. Opondo called for the fixing of the road sector under one umbrella, given its huge budget allocation.
“Road construction alone takes 40% of the national budget, the defence is the third spender in this sector, as the fourth estate, we should all know that we serve the citizens of Uganda, and should thus do a good job,” said Opondo.
He hailed CoST Uganda for championing transparency in the infrastructure sector in Uganda. ‘CoST has gained a good reputation and therefore can access information that can act as a good point of reference while reporting on infrastructure-related stories,” he said. He advised the media to always dig deep and be meticulous in their reporting.
The Principal Communications Officer in the Ministry of Works and Transport Suzan Kataike said it is only through specialisation that journalists can reach to greater heights.
“You can’t be a jack of all trade and a master of none and call yourself a journalist. Today you are reporting on health, tomorrow on tourism, business then infrastructure, why not specialise and say report on infrastructure? once you become an expert you will always be a reference point for others,” she said.
she gave an example of how when she joined the Works Ministry in 2006 as a PRO, she didn’t know much about the sector but years down the road, she is now a “star” in the works and transport sector.
Kataike urged the media to always report basing in evidence gathered. She was presenting a paper on the ‘Mis and Disinformation, the need for due diligence in infrastructure transparency reporting.”
“Be very careful who and how you report about especially donor-funded road construction, because it may stall the project and affect the nation,” she warned.
she cited the stalled motor vehicle inspection units that have remained “white Elephants” due to negative publicity. “Your children and the children of your children will pay for those stalled projects. These projects were constructed using borrowed money that must be paid,” she said.
The State Minister for Information Computer Technology and National Guidance Hon. Peter Ogwang, in his statement read by the Assistant Commissioner for National Guidance Jonah Jackson Bakalikwira, pledged to promote timely access and delivery of information to the public on the infrastructural projects in order to enhance transparency and accountability.
The media training also marked the launch of the second Cost Uganda Media Awards. At least six journalists will be recognised and awarded for reporting in infrastructure transparency. The deadline for the submission of the entries will be in April 2020. The categories include, investigations, features, new innovations in infrastructure reporting among others. Journalists from Print, Broadcast, Online, Radio, and TV are encouraged to apply.
(Additional Reporting by Lydia Amuya Omech)
