A guide to strategic and impactful coverage of Uganda’s general election

Effective election coverage is the product of rigorous planning. Given the expansive national scope of the forthcoming campaigns and elections, a well-crafted strategy is essential to guarantee coverage that is detailed, equitable and impactful.

Defining editorial focus and scope

The temptation to merely report on the ‘horse race’ – who is up and who is down in the polls. 

Newsrooms must begin by asking: What is our role during this election? What does our audience need from us? And how can we fulfil that role, given our constraints?

To start, newsroom leadership should designate a team or committee to oversee election coverage. This team is in charge of drafting a coverage strategy that identifies priority races, thematic focus areas, reporting formats, and audience engagement approaches. The strategy must also account for ethical standards, safety precautions and workflow coordination across departments.

Additional pointers:

• The editorial thrust should deliberately prioritise issues that directly impact the daily lives and future prospects of ordinary Ugandans. This means dedicating significant airtime and column inches to in-depth analysis of proposals concerning healthcare, education, economic development, infrastructure, security, human rights, land issues and environmental concerns.
• Your coverage should reflect Uganda’s rich geographical, ethnic and socio-economic diversity. A disproportionate focus on urban centres, particularly Kampala, risks alienating significant segments of the electorate. Understand region-specific grievances, aspirations and political dynamics, and report on how national issues manifest differently at the local level.
• Seek out, foreground and amplify the voices and concerns of all segments of society, particularly those traditionally marginalised. Their perspectives should be an essential part of constructing a holistic and representative understanding of the stakes of the election. Consider dedicated segments or series focusing on the specific challenges and demands of these groups and how candidates address (or fail to address) them.
• Your planning must encompass the entire election cycle. This process includes pre-campaign analysis, the formal campaign period, the election day itself, and importantly, post-election analysis. The reporting includes how government is formed, policy implementation and accountability for campaign promises.

Develop a detailed editorial calendar

An election calendar, based on the official electoral roadmap, party schedules and past campaign rhythms, should guide newsroom planning. These dates will serve as fixed anchors for your planning, allowing you to schedule specific reports, interviews, and analyses around them.

Beyond chronological event coverage, dedicate specific weeks or even extended periods to in-depth thematic coverage. For instance, one week could be dedicated to healthcare promises, another to the economy and livelihoods, or security and human rights. This approach allows for concentrated reporting, providing depth that simple event coverage cannot provide.

Plan for comprehensive profiles of all major presidential candidates, and a selection of key parliamentary and local government candidates, particularly in electorally significant areas. Profiles should not be superficial biographical details. Elaborate on their political history, legislative records, core ideologies, policy platforms, past performance and potential conflicts of interest. Aim for a balanced assessment of their strengths, weaknesses and a thorough examination of their track record versus their rhetoric.

Establishing clear editorial guidelines and standards

In a polarised environment, the credibility of the news media is constantly contested. The credibility of your media organisation, therefore, hinges on adherence to rigorous journalistic ethics and standards. This means clear distinction between editorial content and paid-for political advertising, consistent balance in reporting, transparency about sources, and readiness to correct errors.

Importantly, these guidelines must be clearly articulated, understood, and consistently applied by every member of the newsroom.

Remember:

• Impartiality and objectivity are the bedrock of credible election reporting. Reporting should be based on verifiable facts, presented without bias, allowing the audience to form their own conclusions. Any perceived bias can severely undermine public trust.
• Emphasise that every piece of information published or broadcast must be meticulously checked for accuracy. This means cross-referencing information, and never ever relying on a single source, especially for contentious claims. Encourage reporters to always ask, “How do we know this is true?”
• Ensure fairness, balance and proportionality, and strive for equitable coverage across all major political actors. While not every candidate can receive identical airtime or space, coverage should be proportional to their political significance, electoral viability and public reach.
• Beyond accuracy, the language used in reporting is critical. Explicitly prohibit the use of hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, or any language that could incite violence, discrimination or tribalism. Be mindful of the potential impact of your words. Ensure that reporting respects the dignity and privacy of individuals, avoiding sensationalism that exploits tragedy, personal vulnerability or reinforces negative stereotypes.

While presidential and parliamentary contests often command national attention, the coverage of local elections is equally vital for the health of democratic governance. Local government elections shape service delivery, governance and public accountability in everyday life.

Local campaigns deserve robust journalism. They provide early signals of national political undercurrents: defections, shifting party loyalties, mobilisation patterns, and the deployment of money or coercion. Unfortunately, local government, district and municipal council elections, are frequently relegated to secondary status in national media narratives.

To ensure full coverage of these down-ballot campaigns:

• Cultivate a robust network of community journalists and stringers or invest in training existing regional staff. These individuals possess invaluable on-the-ground knowledge, local language proficiency and established community trust.
• Immerse yourselves in the unique challenges and priorities of local communities. Is it access to clean water in a rural village? Land disputes in a specific sub-county? Unemployment among youth in a peri-urban area? The performance of local schools? Focus reporting on how local candidates intend to address these specific, tangible issues, rather than just repeating national party manifestos.
• Analyse how local election dynamics and results might influence or reflect the broader national campaign narrative. Do local outcomes indicate shifts in party loyalty or dissatisfaction with national leadership? Are there emerging leaders at the local level who might challenge established national figures? How do national political messages resonate (or fail to resonate) with local concerns, revealing potential disconnects or areas of strength for parties?
• Develop dedicated content formats for local election coverage. This could include radio programmes featuring debates between local candidates, newspaper sections focused entirely on district-level races or online platforms providing detailed profiles of candidates vying for local council seats. Consider producing short video packages or podcasts that explain local government structures and the roles of various local officials.
• Organise (if resources allow) community forums where residents can ask questions directly to their local candidates. These events can be broadcast on local radio or shared online. This gives citizens a direct avenue to voice their concerns and hold aspiring local leaders accountable, moving beyond formal rallies.

An effective election coverage strategy amplifies not just political actors, but the people they seek to govern. Citizen voices are often overshadowed by elite narratives, yet they are the most vital part of the electoral process.

So, beyond merely reporting on candidates and political parties, your election strategy strategy must empower citizens, reflect their lived experiences and foreground their concerns. This ensures the media acts as a bridge between the electorate and those seeking power.

Creating platforms for citizen engagement

Facilitate direct participation and representation of citizen perspectives by:

1. Organising and broadcasting community forums and debates. Broadcast these events live or record them for later dissemination through various media channels (radio, TV, online, podcasts). This provides a crucial platform for direct accountability and unfiltered citizen voices, moving beyond controlled campaign rallies.
2. Establish secure, easy-to-use and verifiable channels for citizens to submit their own content, such as photos, videos, audio recordings or written testimonials from their communities. This could be through dedicated WhatsApp lines, secure submission forms on your website, specific email addresses, or curated social media hashtags. Implement a rigorous verification process for all user-generated content before it is used to ensure authenticity and avoid the inadvertent spread of misinformation.
3. In remote or under-served areas, consider training and supporting local community members to act as ‘citizen journalists’. Equip them with basic reporting skills, ethical guidelines, and simple recording devices (e.g., smartphones with good cameras). Their reports, under proper editorial guidance and stringent verification from the main newsroom, can provide invaluable grassroots perspectives that would otherwise be missed, expanding your reach and local relevance.

Using interactive platforms for public input

Actively employ various interactive digital and traditional platforms to gather citizen questions, opinions, and feedback. This could include:

• Regular engagement on platforms like Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to gauge public sentiment and collect questions.
• Allowing citizens to use SMS to send in their questions, concerns or reports. This is especially useful in areas with limited internet access.
• Dedicate segments for live listener/viewer participation, providing a direct voice to the public.

Ensure that this public input is systematically collected, analysed and fed directly into the editorial planning and reporting process. This way, it can inform story angles and interview questions.

Holding elected officials accountable for their pledges is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance. Campaign promises are often made with little expectation of follow-up.

Journalists can help change this by developing mechanisms to track and interrogate these pledges. Newsrooms may also develop campaign promise trackers. These can take the form of regular newspaper columns, radio bulletins or digital dashboards that allow users to compare platforms. Done well, they help voters make informed choices and can be repurposed after elections to monitor delivery.

News organisations can create a dynamic, centralised digital database to systematically record significant promises made by presidential candidates, political parties, and key parliamentary candidates. This database should capture essential details for later verification and public access, for example:

• The specific promise made. The exact wording or clear articulation of the promise (e.g., “Construct 10 new health centers in rural areas within two years,” “Create one million jobs for youth by 2028”). Precision here is important for later verification.
• The date of the promise. When was the promise made? (e.g., during a specific rally on [Date], an interview on [Date], or within the official party manifesto published on [Date]).
• The source of the promise. Where was the promise articulated? (e.g., party manifesto document, transcript of a campaign speech, official press conference recording, direct interview with the candidate, verifiable social media post). Link directly to the source material if digital.
• Who is the promise intended to benefit? (e.g., farmers in the Teso sub-region, youth entrepreneurs, persons with disabilities, primary school children nationwide).
• The status of the promise. Add a field to track the progress of the promise in the post-election period (e.g., “Not Started,” “In Progress,” “Completed,” “Stalled,” “Broken”). This helps show the current state of each pledge.
• Verification notes. Include a section for notes on how the promise was verified, including data sources, expert opinions or on-the-ground observations. This adds transparency to the assessment.
• Relevant links or evidence. Provide direct links to documents, news reports, government data, or other evidence that supports the promise’s status.

Here are some free tools news organisations can use to develop these databases:

Google Sheets: This is a widely accessible and powerful spreadsheet tool that is free with a Google account. It is easy to set up, share, and collaborate in real-time. Supports basic filtering, sorting, and conditional formatting to visually highlight promise statuses. It can handle a large amount of data for tracking. However, while good for data entry and basic organisation, it lacks the advanced relational database features for very large or complex projects.

Notion (Free Plan): Notion is a flexible workspace tool that can be used for databases, project management, and content creation. Its database feature is robust. Notion allows for highly customisable views (table, board, calendar), allowing different ways to see the data. The free plan offers unlimited blocks for individuals and small teams, suitable for many newsrooms. Note that the free plan has a 5MB file upload limit per file and 7-day page history. For larger teams or extensive attachments, a paid plan might be needed.

Airtable (Free Plan): Airtable combines the ease of a spreadsheet with the power of a database. It is a good choice for structured data collection. It has better relational capabilities than Google Sheets, allowing linking records between different tables (e.g., linking promises to specific candidates listed in another table). The free plan allows up to 1,000 records per base and 1GB of attachment storage, but the record limit might be reached for very extensive promise tracking over multiple election cycles.

The 2026 elections will likely be fought not just at rallies and on the airwaves, but also in WhatsApp groups and online echo chambers. Already, Ugandan political discourse is increasingly shaped by false narratives, anonymous pages and partisan influencers posing as independent voices.

Misinformation may take many forms: doctored videos of candidates, false polling numbers, fabricated endorsements, edited images or deliberate misrepresentation of laws and policies. Journalists and media organisations must therefore equip themselves with verification skills, and collaborate with fact-checking organisations to debunk viral falsehoods.

Establishing robust fact-checking mechanisms

Combating false information requires a dedicated and systematic approach.

1. Establish a specialised unit or designate a dedicated team whose primary function is the continuous, rigorous fact-checking of political statements. This includes claims made by candidates, political parties, their spokespersons, social media influencers, and content that goes viral on various digital platforms. This team should be trained in verification tools and methodologies.
2. Implement systems for proactive monitoring of digital spaces. Use social media listening tools and engage with online communities. Pay particular attention to platforms like WhatsApp and other closed messaging groups, where disinformation often spreads rapidly.
3. Cultivate sources within political camps to help identify emerging false narratives and disinformation campaigns in their early stages. Early detection allows for quicker debunking and limits the spread of harmful content.
4. When debunking misinformation, it is crucial to clearly label the content as false or misleading. Importantly, go beyond a mere declaration of falsehood. Provide a detailed explanation of why the claim is false, presenting verifiable evidence, data and expert opinion to support the debunking. Repeat the correct information more prominently than the false claim.
5. Dedicate resources to broad-based media literacy campaigns that empower citizens to critically evaluate the information they encounter. You can do so by creating public service announcements, producing explainers on identifying disinformation tactics, and hosting workshops in communities or schools.
6. Forge strong partnerships with independent, non-partisan fact-checking organisations within Uganda and across the African continent. Collaborating allows for sharing verified information, pooling resources for complex investigations, and amplifying the reach and impact of debunking efforts.

Emphasise to all journalists the absolute imperative of verifying the authenticity and credibility of all sources, especially those encountered on social media or forwarded messages. Train staff in basic digital forensics techniques to identify manipulated images, altered videos, and suspicious account activity. And always, always question the origin and intent behind viral content.

The growing availability of AI tools presents a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI can assist newsrooms with transcription, summarisation, data visualisation, and even generating first drafts of repetitive content such as candidate bios or timeline summaries.

On the other hand, AI technologies – especially deepfakes and text generators – can be used to spread falsehoods with alarming realism and speed. Journalists must remain sceptical of viral content that lacks clear provenance. Visual forensics and expert consultation may be needed to authenticate certain materials.

Using AI for enhanced reporting and analysis

AI can greatly improve journalistic abilities, especially with data-heavy parts of election coverage.

AI-powered data analysis and trend identification.
Use AI tools to process and analyse large datasets that are beyond human capacity. This can include opinion poll results, historical election data, demographic information, social media trends and economic indicators. AI can help identify patterns, connections, and emerging trends that might inform story angles, predict electoral outcomes, or show public sentiment shifts.

For instance, Google’s Pinpoint (part of Journalist Studio) can quickly sift through thousands of social media comments or publicly available datasets to identify common public concerns related to a specific candidate or issue. Tools like Julius AI or Rows.com (with free tiers) can also help visualise and identify patterns in structured data.

Analysing large document sets
To analyse extensive collections of PDFs, reports, manifestos or interview transcripts, AI tools can greatly reduce manual effort. These tools allow journalists to search, summarise and extract key information from many documents at once.

• Google’s Pinpoint (see link above)  –  This tool allows journalists to upload thousands of documents (PDFs, images, audio, emails) and then search, filter and analyse them. It can transcribe audio and video, identify key people and organisations, and transform tables into spreadsheets.
• NotebookLM (by Google) – Allows users to upload various document types (PDFs, Google Docs, web content) and then ask questions, summarise content and generate insights based solely on the uploaded sources. It is useful for building a knowledge base from specific election-related documents.
• Smallpdf’s AI PDF Summarizer (free version): This tool can instantly extract key points from lengthy PDFs and allow users to ask questions directly about the document’s content.

AI in content generation (with extreme caution and oversight)
AI models can assist in generating basic news reports or summaries for regular updates, particularly for results tabulation or standard announcements. However, this must be approached with much care and strong human oversight. Any AI-generated content must undergo strict human editorial review, fact-checking and placement into context before publication. It is important to remember that AI does not have journalistic ethics, sound judgment or the understanding of human context and cultural sensitivities required for specific political reporting. AI should be a tool to help, not replace, human journalists.

Tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT (free version) or Google’s Gemini can assist with drafting text summaries or generating initial content ideas, but always remember to include the human in the loop.

Translation and transcription
AI-powered tools can significantly speed up the transcription of speeches, interviews and public statements, even from noisy environments. They can also make rapid translations between various local languages and English easier, improving access and speed for different newsgathering needs. Tools like Otter.ai (free tier for limited minutes), oTranscribe (free, browser-based), and Google Translate (for text translation) are widely available. For more advanced features, options like Trint or Sonix.ai offer paid plans with higher accuracy and more features.

Detecting and countering AI-generated misinformation

The same technology that aids reporting can also be weaponised for malicious purposes. Therefore, invest in training journalists to recognise AI-generated deepfakes. This training should include understanding the tell-tale signs of, utilising forensic tools (where available), and staying abreast of the latest developments in synthetic media creation. Newsrooms should also develop protocols for rapid verification of suspicious media content.

Develop and strictly adhere to clear, comprehensive internal policies on the ethical use of AI in all aspects of journalism. These guidelines must address issues of accuracy, inherent biases, accountability for AI-generated errors, intellectual property, and the potential for AI to mislead. Crucially, be transparent with your audience. If AI tools are used in the reporting, analysis or production process, clearly disclose this. For example, “This report was assisted by AI tools for data analysis.”

Covering elections carries significant personal and professional risks. Journalists have previously faced threats, intimidation, arbitrary arrest, confiscation of equipment, online harassment and violence. Ensuring their safety is a comprehensive concern, encompassing physical well-being, digital security, and their mental and psychological health. This should not be treated as a simple logistical task, but a necessary ethical duty for media organisations, as a journalist’s effective performance depends on their overall safety and well-being.

Proactive risk management and preparedness

A complete approach to safety must central to all operational planning. This means preparing for various threats and providing integrated support across all safety domains.

Establishing an election reporting risk register and mitigation plan
Newsrooms must create a centralised, dynamic Election Reporting Risk Register. This register should identify potential threats that span the entire election cycle, from the current campaign period through election day. For each identified risk (e.g., physical assault by political supporters, cyberattacks on newsroom systems, arbitrary detention of journalists, psychological trauma from covering violence), the register should detail:

• How probable is this risk?
• What would be the severity of the consequences if this risk occurs?
• Specific, actionable steps to reduce the likelihood or impact of the risk. E.g. pre-emptive measures, training requirements, equipment needs and communication protocols.
• What steps will be taken if the risk materialises?
• Who within the organisation is accountable for monitoring and managing this risk?

This comprehensive plan will serve as the overarching safety framework for all election coverage.

Thorough risk assessments for every assignment
Before sending out journalists, conduct detailed, assignment-specific risk assessments that feed into and draw from the broader Election Reporting Risk Register. This is particularly important for locations that may become unstable, during large political gatherings or when covering sensitive issues.

Evaluate the chance and impact of threats like physical assault, unlawful arrest, harassment, cyberattacks, equipment theft or the potential for psychological distress from covering traumatic events. This assessment should guide staffing choices, equipment needs, communication plans, and the provision of appropriate support for that specific assignment. These assessments should be dynamic, recognising that risks can change quickly.

Mandatory Hostile Environment and First Aid Training
Provide thorough safety training for all journalists and support staff sent to cover the elections. This training must adopt a unified view of safety, covering:

• Physical safety: Techniques for managing crowds, methods for calming tense situations, basic self-defense, and comprehensive emergency medical first aid.
• Digital security: Protecting devices from hacking, using secure communication channels, encrypting sensitive data, using secure cloud storage for confidential files, and methods for keeping sources’ identities secret and safeguarding sensitive information.
• Mental health preparedness: Equipping journalists with strategies to cope with the psychological demands of their work. This part of training should help journalists recognise signs of operational stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue in themselves and others. It should also provide coping methods for managing emotional responses and building psychological resilience before, during and after assignments.
• Establishing emergency protocols: Develop and share clear, easy-to-understand emergency protocols for various situations. These protocols should contain:
  • Immediate contact information for legal counsel, medical professionals and designated emergency response teams within the organisation.
  • Pre-arranged secure meeting points in case of dispersal.
  • Clear communication channels and regular check-in procedures for reporters in the field.
  • Emergency evacuation plans from high-risk areas, including designated safe houses or routes.

Provision of essential protective gear and identification
Equip journalists with proper protective gear. Purchase what your organisations can afford within your means. Ensure these items also protect journalists without making them easy targets. All equipment must be well-maintained and fit for use, contributing to both physical safety and a sense of security.

Digital security best practices
Implement and enforce strict digital security rules. This involves:

• Regular software updates and the use of strong, unique passwords for all accounts and devices.
• Required use of two-factor authentication (2FA) for all important platforms.
• Training on identifying phishing attempts, social engineering tactics and malicious software.
• Using secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging applications for sensitive talks with sources or colleagues.
• Regular data backups to secure, separate locations to prevent data loss from device seizure or damage.
• Training on methods to protect sources’ identities through tools that provide anonymity and secure communication, following journalistic privilege.

Regular check-ins and adjustments

Safety planning is not a one-time event. Implement a system of regular check-ins with journalists in the field that could involve daily or more frequent contact with editors or designated safety personnel to assess current conditions, individual well-being, and emerging risks. Based on these check-ins and ongoing intelligence, make immediate adjustments to assignments, routes or support as needed.

This active monitoring allows for a proactive response to changing circumstances on the ground, preventing situations from escalating. These check-ins also serve as opportunities to informally gauge mental well-being.

Supporting journalists’ well-being beyond the field and newsroom

Supporting journalists extends beyond immediate incident response. It involves building a supportive newsroom culture and ensuring access to continuous care, explicitly acknowledging that journalists are not left to figure out these challenges on their own.

Provide confidential and accessible pathways to mental health professionals, such as counsellors or therapists, who understand the specific pressures faced by journalists. This could be through an employee assistance programme, a dedicated media psychologist or a network of trusted external providers.

Cultivate an environment where open talks about stress and the emotional impact of reporting are encouraged, free from judgment. Encourage journalists to support each other and recognise signs of distress in colleagues, providing a safe space for shared experiences and coping strategies.

Implement practices that prevent cumulative stress and burnout. This includes ensuring journalists are not constantly assigned to high-stress or traumatic stories without respite. Adopt a system for rotating assignments, ensuring regular breaks, and providing sufficient time off, especially after covering difficult or prolonged events.

Equip editors and managers with the knowledge to recognise signs of stress or trauma in their staff. They should be trained on how to respond with empathy, provide initial psychological support and effectively guide journalists to available resources without stigmatising them.

Beyond initial debriefings, establish clear protocols for follow-up support after particularly challenging assignments. This could include mandatory check-ins with a mental health professional, peer support sessions, or adjustments to immediate future assignments to allow for recovery.

The Dart Center has an invaluable resource you can use: Trauma Aware Journalism (TAJ): A News Industry Toolkit

External support and clear communication are important for a safe operating environment for journalists. Therefore:

• Ensure that journalists have immediate access to qualified legal counsel if they are arrested, detained, questioned or face any form of legal harassment.
• Establish agreements with lawyers who specialise in media law and human rights, and ensure they are available 24/7 during the election period.
• If you do not have money to retain a lawyer, consider organisations that offer pro bono services to journalists and human rights defenders. Make early contact with them to discuss how they can support your work
• Actively and publicly support the protection of journalists and press freedom in Uganda. Issue statements that condemn attacks, harassment or unlawful detention of journalists.
• Establish and maintain ways to communicate with relevant security agencies (police, army). However, this communication must never affect editorial integrity or lead to self-censorship. Always challenge and report any unnecessary harassment or attacks, highlighting their impact on a journalist’s ability to perform their duties.

Covering a national election campaign is inherently resource-intensive, demanding significant human and financial investment, and yet in the current economic climate, many newsrooms are operating under financial strain.

Impactful coverage is possible with careful planning and creative partnerships. Here are some strategies you can use to maximise impact with limited resources.

• Prioritise coverage areas – Conduct a thorough assessment to identify key battleground regions, electorally significant constituencies, and critical thematic issues that warrant the most intensive coverage. Concentrate limited resources (staff, equipment, travel budgets) on these areas rather than attempting to cover every single campaign event uniformly, which is often impractical and unsustainable.
  

• Collaboration and resource pooling – Actively explore and initiate partnerships with other independent media houses, local community radio stations, regional newspapers, or online news platforms. This collaboration can involve:
  • Dividing up geographical areas or thematic beats to avoid duplication of effort and maximise reach.
  • Allowing partners to utilise each other’s verified content (e.g., photographs, video clips, breaking news alerts, translated interviews) under clear attribution rules.
  • Pooling funds for shared training workshops for journalists on specialised election reporting skills.
  • In some cases, jointly purchasing or sharing expensive equipment like drones, specialised camera gear, or high-quality audio recording kits.

     

• Leveraging technology for remote reporting – Invest in digital tools that enable more efficient and cost-effective operations. E.g.:
  • Use secure video conferencing platforms, secure file-sharing systems (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox Business with strong security settings), and cloud-based editorial workflows to facilitate reporting from diverse locations without excessive physical travel.
  • Rely heavily on instant messaging apps and secure email for internal communication, reducing phone call costs, especially for long-distance reporting.
• Cultivate and vet a network of experienced freelance journalists located in various regions of Uganda. This allows for flexible deployment on a project basis, offering cost-effectiveness compared to maintaining a large, permanent staff in every region.

   

• Actively research and apply for grant funding opportunities from international organisations, philanthropic foundations and partners that explicitly support independent journalism, election coverage, media development, and democratic governance in Uganda.

   

• Invest in multi-skilled journalists – Provide training and professional development opportunities for your journalists to become multi-skilled. A reporter who can write compelling text, shoot high-quality video footage, record clear audio for radio or podcasts, and contribute effectively to social media platforms is a significantly more efficient and valuable asset in a resource-constrained environment. Cross-training enhances versatility.

   

• Budgeting for contingencies and unexpected costs – Always allocate a significant contingency fund (e.g., 10-15% of the total budget) within your election coverage budget. This financial buffer is crucial for addressing unforeseen circumstances such as sudden security needs, unexpected legal challenges (e.g., defamation suits, injunctions), emergency equipment repairs, or changes in logistical requirements due to unforeseen events.

In any election season, some variables are predictable, but history shows that electoral environments can be upended overnight by shocks that are impossible to foresee in full.

In 2020/2021, Uganda’s elections were shaped by two major disruptions: the COVID-19 pandemic, which imposed movement restrictions, altered the campaign landscape, and reshaped health and safety protocols. Critically, a government-ordered internet shutdown that blacked out digital communications during critical phases of voting and results dissemination. Few newsrooms had anticipated these challenges, and many were left scrambling to reorganise coverage, protect staff, and maintain operations with limited tools and little time.

As we look ahead to the 2026 elections, the precise nature of future disruptions is unknowable, but what is certain is that some form of disruption will occur. The only responsible course for journalists and newsrooms is to plan for uncertainty with flexibility, contingency, and an ethos of resilience.

Strengthening newsroom communication and coordination

Newsrooms must have multiple communication channels available, particularly for internal coordination. If internet access is lost or restricted, how will editors communicate with field reporters? How will reporters file stories or receive assignments?

Suggested measures:

• Establish a hierarchy of communication tools, from digital-first (email, Slack, WhatsApp) to analogue backups (SMS, phone calls, radio communication).
• Maintain hard-copy lists of team contacts, alternative meeting points, and fallback routines.
• Use offline file-sharing protocols, such as pre-arranged USB drop-offs, encrypted SD card swaps, or physical dispatch runners if necessary.
• Train teams on using offline-first tools, such as mobile apps that sync once the internet is restored.

In the event of a digital blackout or network throttling, journalists must revert to foundational reporting practices that do not depend on online systems. Therefore:

• Use pen, paper, and audio recorders to document events.
• Distribute print-based reporting kits for field reporters, including note pads, press IDs, power banks and emergency contact cards.
• Partner with community radio stations to broadcast bulletins using analogue channels.
• Pre-arrange print-only workflows for weekly updates, even when digital platforms go silent.

Cross-training and role rotation

Uncertainty often brings staff disruptions due to illness, arrest, targeted harassment or burnout. Teams must be equipped to step in for one another.

Planning points:

• Cross-train staff across functions: reporting, editing, publishing, photography, and safety protocols.
• Maintain a rotating duty roster, with clear secondary personnel in place.
• Avoid over-reliance on a few “star” journalists; build team-wide competency and decentralised decision-making.

Fixed bureaus may be inaccessible or closed during emergencies. Modular teams that are small, mobile and self-sufficient units allow for flexible deployment. So, build capacity for:

• Lightweight field kits with battery-powered gear, portable recorders, mobile internet dongles, solar chargers, and basic first aid.
• Two-person teams for high-risk areas, ensuring mutual support and safety.
• Collaboration with local citizen correspondents in hard-to-reach areas.

Financial resilience and scenario budgeting

Funding shortfalls are common in the run-up to elections, especially when advertisers pull out due to political risk. Media houses should budget for flexibility, not just scale.

Steps to consider:

• Create tiered editorial plans – one for full funding, another for medium support and a minimalist option that prioritises core activities.
• Maintain an emergency reserve fund for essentials like fuel, legal support, safety equipment or staff accommodation during crises.
• Build coalitions or consortia with other outlets to co-share content, training, logistics, and infrastructure during hard times.

Editorial flexibility and decision-making in crises

Leadership in the newsroom must be nimble, transparent and decentralised. When things fall apart, journalists on the ground need the authority to make key decisions.

Advice for managers:

• Develop clear protocols on what decisions can be made without central editorial approval during a breakdown in communication.
• Encourage independent judgment guided by editorial values, not just newsroom policies.
• Hold regular crisis simulation exercises – What happens if the internet is cut? What happens if our newsroom is raided?

Expecting the unexpected is not about fear-mongering. It is about embracing the reality that elections are high-stakes moments where instability can occur. The goal is simple: to remain functional, accurate and safe, even when the context changes overnight. Your ability to report under pressure may make the difference between silence and truth when it matters most.

While contingency plans and safety protocols are essential, they often remain theoretical unless tested. Scenario planning and crisis simulations offer newsrooms a practical, proactive way to test systems, identify weak spots, and strengthen their capacity to respond to disruption before it happens.

These exercises help staff become more confident in crisis response, ensure that roles and responsibilities are well understood, and foster trust among editorial, support, and field teams.

What is scenario planning?
Scenario planning involves imagining a range of plausible disruptions and preparing for how the newsroom would respond. The purpose is not to predict the future, but to explore how you would cope if the future deviates sharply from expectations.

• In an election cycle, relevant scenarios might include:
• A complete internet blackout in the final week before the vote.
• A sudden outbreak of violence at a campaign rally covered by your field team.
• The arrest or abduction of a reporter in the field.
• Your newsroom being raided by state authorities or closed by regulators.
• A major flooding event that makes key regions inaccessible for a week.
• A critical loss of funding or revenue two months before election day.
• Disinformation falsely claiming your outlet has endorsed a particular candidate.

For each scenario, teams should:

• Define what is happening (the trigger).
• Identify how it affects operations (what breaks or is threatened).
• Decide how the team should respond (roles, actions, timelines).
• Determine what tools and systems are needed to respond effectively.
• Review how information will flow internally and externally during the crisis.

These can be mapped visually, included in planning documents, or rehearsed through crisis simulations.

What is a crisis simulation?
A crisis simulation is a real-time exercise that mimics a disruptive event, requiring your team to respond as if the event were unfolding. It is similar to a fire drill, but for editorial and operational disruption.

Simulations can be done at multiple levels:

• Editorial teams work through a written or verbal scenario together and discuss what actions they would take at each step.
• The entire team participates in a timed scenario. For instance: “It’s the night before elections. Your website goes offline. Your social media accounts have been hacked. You are receiving calls from the Electoral Commission and a political party demanding a retraction of a story. Go.”

During editorial meetings, briefly discuss one hypothetical disruption each week and ask: “What would we do?” Assign one team member each month to be the ‘resilience lead’, responsible for keeping emergency plans current and checking that all staff have access to offline materials. Ensure editorial and operations staff are trained together, so that logistics and journalism don’t become silos during a real disruption.

A resilient mindset is a strategic asset
Scenario planning may feel unnecessary in times of stability, but in crisis, it becomes the difference between paralysis and action. In 2026, the media will once again be tested, not just in content production, but in its ability to endure pressure, improvise under constraints and remain a reliable source of truth.

The election may bring unexpected developments. But how your newsroom responds should never be entirely improvised.