Editors of media houses including The Observer, Uganda Radio Network (URN)and Red Pepper have for the second time defied MPs on appearing to explain what parliament considers being negative coverage.

The parliamentary committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline summoned editors in chief of the three media houses to appear before them on Friday but MPs waited in vain.

Human rights lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi.

Ladislaus Kiiza Rwakafuuzi, the counsel for URN wrote to the committee stating that their advice to their clients is not to attend the committee on grounds that the functions of Parliament are spelt out in Article 79(1) and (3) of the constitution.  And that superintending editorial of media houses is not related to the functions of Parliament.

The letter also states that Parliament has already made laws relating to management of media houses including disciplining thereof and as such parliament has no further role to play.

But Committee Chairman, Clement Ongalo Obote, said Red Pepper and The Observer did not send to the committee any communication in regard to the summons.

Obote, however, told journlaists shortly after the MPs’ meeting that the committee had resolved to summon the editors the third time on October 27, 2016 before writing a report to be presented to the House.