The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has engaged online and digital media journalists in a bid to strengthen public awareness of discrimination, marginalisation, affirmative action and equal opportunities in Uganda.

The dialogue focused on building collaboration between the Commission and digital media practitioners to promote inclusive reporting and improve the visibility of vulnerable and marginalised groups in the country.

Dr Shaft Nasser Mukwaya, the Secretary to the EOC, said digital media had become an essential tool for public communication because of its speed, accessibility and wide reach.

“Digital media has transformed how we communicate with the public. It offers us an opportunity to reach millions of Ugandans quickly and directly. If we are to effectively deliver our mandate, we must embrace these platforms and work closely with the journalists who use them to inform and engage the public,” Mukwaya said.

He noted that partnerships with online media outlets would enable the Commission to reach communities with limited access to information about their rights and the remedies available to them in cases of discrimination.

Yusuf Muziransa, the EOC Principal Information and Communications Officer, urged digital journalists to work closely with the Commission in publicising its mandate, programmes, functions and interventions.

Muziransa observed that despite the Commission's broad mandate, public awareness of its work remained limited, particularly among people who experience discrimination and marginalisation.

“The Commission has a broad mandate that touches the lives of many Ugandans, particularly those who experience discrimination and marginalisation. Unfortunately, public awareness of our work remains limited. We believe stronger collaboration with online media can help bridge this gap and ensure that more people understand their rights and know where to seek redress,” he said.

He called on journalists to give greater attention to the experiences of vulnerable and marginalised communities, including women, persons with disabilities, older persons, children and other groups facing barriers to accessing opportunities and essential services.

Muziransa added that inclusive reporting should extend beyond highlighting the challenges faced by these communities to examining the structural barriers that prevent them from participating in and benefiting from Uganda's social, economic, political and cultural development.

The engagement also provided a platform for the Commission and digital media practitioners to explore practical approaches to improving public understanding of equal opportunities while promoting fair, accurate and inclusive representation in the media.

The EOC expressed optimism that sustained engagement with online journalists would increase awareness of its mandate, enhance the visibility of its interventions and help more Ugandans understand their rights and access its services.

The Commission's engagement with digital media comes amid growing recognition of online platforms as important channels for public education, information sharing and amplifying the concerns of communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream coverage.