By James Alomu

Teso Journalists for Community Empowerment (TEJFOCE) has petitioned President Yoweri Museveni, requesting that his recent financial pledge to journalists in the Teso Sub-region be channeled directly through their association instead of the Teso Media Initiative for Development (TEMID).

The petition, dated November 3, 2025, and addressed to the President through the Uganda Media Centre, expresses appreciation for the President’s continued commitment to empowering Ugandans and transforming the media sector.

According to TEJFOCE, the President’s pledge of Shs100 million, a van, sheep, and other resources is a timely gesture aimed at boosting the welfare and operational capacity of journalists in the region. The association, however, raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability within the leadership of TEMID, which had previously received Shs50 million from Vice President Jessica Alupo to support journalists but allegedly failed to provide accountability for the funds.

In the petition, TEJFOCE accused the leadership of TEMID of mismanaging past support, including the distribution of iron sheets provided by the Ministry of Teso Affairs. The journalists claimed that the benefits were unfairly allocated to personal acquaintances, leaving many practitioners in the region excluded and demoralized.

TEJFOCE described itself as a broad-based and inclusive umbrella body representing media practitioners across the Teso Sub-region. The group emphasized that it is better positioned to equitably manage and distribute the President’s pledged support to ensure all journalists in Teso benefit.

The petition was signed and stamped by TEJFOCE leadership and forwarded through the Uganda Media Centre for the President’s consideration. It reflects growing calls among journalists for transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in managing government and donor support extended to the media fraternity in the region.