EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION STYLEBOOK
Website: www.habaridaily.com
Parent Company: Silver Image Advertising Ltd
Headquarters: Kampala, Uganda
Publication Type: Digital News and Online Publishing
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 About Habari Daily Uganda
Habari Daily Uganda is a Kampala-based digital news platform owned by Silver Image Advertising Ltd, a Ugandan media company specialising in online and digital publishing.
The platform covers public affairs, politics, business, finance, economics, culture, education, health, community affairs and other developments affecting Uganda and the wider East African region.
Habari Daily Uganda is committed to providing timely, accurate, balanced and engaging journalism that informs the public, promotes accountability, supports informed decision-making and contributes to national and regional development.
This stylebook establishes the editorial standards, writing conventions, verification procedures and publication principles that guide everyone who contributes to the platform.
1.2 Purpose of the Stylebook
The stylebook aims to:
- Maintain consistency in language, spelling, punctuation, headlines and story presentation.
- Promote factual accuracy, fairness, independence and responsible journalism.
- Strengthen public trust in Habari Daily Uganda.
- Guide reporters and editors in handling sensitive, complex and developing stories.
- Establish consistent standards for digital publishing, multimedia content and social media.
- Protect the publication against avoidable legal, ethical and reputational risks.
All editorial staff and contributors are expected to follow these guidelines.
2. EDITORIAL IDENTITY
2.1 Vision
To become Uganda’s leading and most trusted digital media platform, recognised for credible journalism, insightful analysis and innovative storytelling that informs, empowers and connects communities.
2.2 Mission
To deliver timely, accurate, independent and engaging news and information on public affairs, business, finance, politics, culture and community issues through responsible and innovative digital publishing.
2.3 Editorial Principles
Every story published by Habari Daily Uganda should reflect the following principles:
Accuracy: Facts, names, titles, dates, figures and quotations must be verified before publication.
Fairness: People and institutions criticised in a story should be given a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Independence: Editorial decisions must be based on public interest and journalistic merit, not improper political, commercial or personal influence.
Transparency: The publication should identify sources appropriately, disclose relevant conflicts of interest and correct errors openly.
Public interest: Coverage should help readers understand issues affecting their lives, livelihoods, rights and communities.
Respect: Journalism must protect human dignity, avoid unnecessary harm and treat vulnerable people with sensitivity.
Accountability: Reporters, editors and management must take responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of published material.
3. LANGUAGE AND WRITING STYLE
3.1 Standard Language
Habari Daily Uganda uses clear, professional British English, consistent with common Ugandan and East African publishing conventions.
Use British spellings, including:
- Organisation, not organization.
- Labour, not labor.
- Centre, not center.
- Programme, not program, except in computing contexts or official names.
- Licence as a noun and license as a verb.
- Defence, not defense.
- Analyse, not analyze.
Official names, direct quotations and registered brand names should retain their original spelling.
3.2 Tone and Voice
Our writing should be authoritative, accessible, informative and engaging.
Journalists should:
- Prefer clear, direct sentences.
- Use active voice wherever practical.
- Explain technical, financial and legal concepts in language ordinary readers can understand.
- Avoid unnecessary jargon, clichés, exaggerated claims and bureaucratic language.
- Attribute opinions, allegations and disputed claims to their sources.
- Distinguish facts from analysis, interpretation and speculation.
The publication should not sound partisan, sensationalist or promotional unless the content is clearly labelled as opinion, advertising or sponsored material.
3.3 Paragraphs and Story Length
Digital stories should use relatively short paragraphs, generally one to four sentences, to improve readability on mobile devices.
Story length should reflect the subject and editorial assignment. Unless otherwise directed:
- Breaking news: approximately 250–450 words.
- General news: approximately 450–750 words.
- News features: approximately 750–1,200 words.
- In-depth investigations and special reports: as required by the assignment.
These are working guidelines, not rigid limits. Accuracy and completeness take precedence over arbitrary word counts.
4. NEWS STRUCTURE
4.1 The Lead
The opening paragraph should communicate the most important development clearly and promptly.
Where appropriate, it should answer the central questions: who, what, when, where, why and how.
The lead should:
- Present the main news development.
- Identify the principal person, institution or event.
- Include the most important verified figure or consequence where relevant.
- Avoid unnecessary background and lengthy introductions.
- Avoid unsupported conclusions or dramatic language.
For example:
Uganda’s energy regulator has dismissed reports of an impending electricity tariff increase, saying the existing approved rates remain applicable for the period under review.
The example is illustrative and should not be treated as a current factual claim without verification.
4.2 The Inverted Pyramid
Straight news stories should generally follow the inverted pyramid structure:
- The most important verified development.
- Supporting facts and significant details.
- Statements from relevant sources.
- Background information and context.
- Additional details and less essential information.
Features, profiles, explanatory reports and investigations may use other structures when they improve storytelling without obscuring the main issue.
4.3 Attribution
Information obtained from another person, institution, document or publication must be attributed appropriately.
Preferred forms include:
- “According to a statement issued by the ministry…”
- “The report indicates that…”
- “The police said…”
- “The company announced…”
- “Parliamentary records show…”
Avoid vague phrases such as “sources say” unless the sources are identifiable to the editor and the use of anonymity is justified.
Do not present allegations, projections or disputed claims as established facts.
4.4 Quotations
Direct quotations must reproduce the source’s words accurately and in context.
Editors may correct obvious transcription errors in indirect speech, but must not alter the meaning of a direct quotation.
Use quotation marks around direct speech and identify the speaker clearly.
Do not invent quotations, combine separate statements into a misleading quotation or attribute words to someone who did not say them.
Where a story is specifically commissioned without quotations, use attributed indirect speech while preserving the source’s meaning.
5. HEADLINES AND SUBHEADINGS
5.1 Headlines
Headlines must be accurate, specific and engaging without exaggeration.
A good headline should:
- Identify the main development.
- Use active language where possible.
- Avoid misleading implications.
- Include important names or figures when editorially justified.
- Avoid unnecessary capitalisation.
- Reflect the actual content of the story.
Use sentence case for headlines, capitalising the first word and proper nouns.
Preferred: Government unveils new measures to support small businesses
Avoid: GOVERNMENT FINALLY UNVEILS SHOCKING MEASURES!!!
Question headlines should be used sparingly. Clickbait, fabricated urgency and misleading promises are prohibited.
5.2 Subheadings
Longer stories should use descriptive subheadings to organise information and improve online readability.
Subheadings should introduce the subject of the following section rather than repeat the headline.
5.3 Search Engine Optimisation
Digital headlines and metadata should incorporate relevant search terms naturally.
Editors should provide, where supported by the publishing system:
- An accurate headline.
- A concise meta description.
- A descriptive URL slug.
- Relevant categories and tags.
- Appropriate image alt text.
Search optimisation must never override accuracy, fairness or editorial independence.
6. SPELLING, GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION
6.1 Capitalisation
Capitalise official names and formal titles when used as part of a person’s name.
Examples:
- President Yoweri Museveni.
- Finance Minister.
- Bank of Uganda.
- Parliament of Uganda.
- Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Use lower case for generic references:
- the president.
- the minister.
- the ministry.
- the government.
- the parliament, when not using the institution’s formal name.
Use the full institutional name at first mention, followed by an abbreviation if it will be used again.
6.2 Numbers
Use numerals for statistics, measurements, ages, percentages, financial figures and other numerical information central to a news story.
Examples:
- 25 people.
- 6.5 per cent.
- 18 kilometres.
-
- 3,500 businesses.
For general prose, spell out small numbers when this improves readability and does not conflict with the publication’s numerical conventions.
Avoid starting a sentence with a numeral. Rewrite the sentence or spell out the number.
6.3 Percentages
Use “per cent” in running text.
Example: “Inflation increased to 4.6 per cent.”
The percentage symbol may be used in graphics, tables, charts and other compact visual formats where appropriate.
6.4 Currency
Use “Shs” or “UGX” consistently for Ugandan shillings.
Examples:
- Shs500,000.
- UGX500,000.
- Shs2.5 trillion.
For foreign currency, identify the currency clearly:
- US$2 million.
- €500,000.
- KSh10 million.
Where figures are converted between currencies, state the exchange-rate basis and date when material to the story. Never imply that an approximate conversion is exact.
6.5 Dates and Time
Use the format “19 October 2026” in formal news copy.
Use “Monday” or the relevant weekday where it helps readers understand the timing of an event.
Use the 12-hour clock with a space before a.m. or p.m. when a precise time is necessary.
Always verify dates and times, particularly for court appearances, public meetings, election events and scheduled announcements.
6.6 Punctuation
Use commas, full stops, colons and semicolons conventionally.
Avoid excessive exclamation marks, ellipses and decorative punctuation.
Use one space after a full stop. Use quotation marks consistently throughout a story.
7. NAMES, TITLES AND INSTITUTIONS
At first mention, identify a person by their full name and relevant official title.
Subsequent references should use the surname or another form that is clear and appropriate to the person’s public identity.
Examples:
- First mention: Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego.
- Subsequent mention: Atingi-Ego.
Verify spelling, current office, institutional affiliation and title before publication.
For Ugandan public institutions, use their official names and distinguish clearly between ministries, departments, agencies, commissions, authorities and private organisations.
Do not assume that a person retains an official position because they held it previously.
8. FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS REPORTING
Financial news is a core area of Habari Daily Uganda’s coverage. It must be precise, comprehensible and properly contextualised.
Reporters should:
- Verify financial figures against original statements, audited accounts, regulatory filings or credible official records.
- Distinguish revenue, profit, turnover, assets, liabilities, expenditure and investment.
- Explain whether figures are projected, approved, committed, disbursed or actually spent.
- Identify the relevant financial year and reporting period.
- Explain whether a figure is annual, quarterly, cumulative or a year-on-year comparison.
- Attribute forecasts and estimates to their sources.
- Avoid presenting correlation as proof of causation.
- Give readers sufficient context to understand the significance of large figures.
When reporting loans, interest rates, taxes, inflation, public debt or investment agreements, explain the practical implications where relevant.
Claims of fraud, insolvency, corruption or financial misconduct require strong evidence, careful attribution and a fair opportunity for response.
9. POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Political coverage must be factual, balanced and independent.
Journalists should:
- Apply consistent standards to all political parties and public officials.
- Distinguish official decisions from campaign promises and political claims.
- Verify election figures against authoritative records.
- Attribute contested statements and provide relevant responses.
- Avoid presenting partisan rhetoric as established fact.
- Disclose material conflicts of interest.
- Scrutinise public spending and official conduct in the public interest.
Balance does not require giving equal weight to claims that have substantially different levels of evidence. The evidence should determine the treatment of each claim.
10. COURTS, CRIME AND ALLEGATIONS
A person accused of a crime must not be described as guilty before a competent court establishes guilt.
Use precise legal terms:
- “Arrested” means taken into custody.
- “Charged” means formally accused of an offence.
- “Remanded” means held in custody pending further proceedings.
- “Convicted” means found guilty by a court.
- “Acquitted” means found not guilty.
Verify court names, charges, case numbers where relevant, hearing dates and the status of proceedings.
Do not confuse an arrest, charge or investigation with a conviction.
Protect the identities of children and other vulnerable people where required by law or justified by ethical considerations. Avoid publishing identifying details that could expose victims or witnesses to unnecessary harm.
11. HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Health and education stories should rely on credible evidence, official data and qualified sources.
Journalists must:
- Verify statistics and identify their reporting period.
- Avoid unsupported medical claims.
- Distinguish preliminary findings from established conclusions.
- Protect patient confidentiality.
- Use respectful language when covering disability, poverty, gender-based violence and other sensitive subjects.
- Avoid stigmatising communities or individuals.
- Explain the human impact of policy decisions without sacrificing factual accuracy.
When reporting on children, obtain appropriate consent where required and consider the child’s best interests and safety.
12. SOURCES AND FACT-CHECKING
12.1 Source Hierarchy
The value of a source depends on its relevance, direct knowledge, reliability and the evidence available.
Useful sources include:
- Official documents and public records.
- Government ministries and agencies.
- Courts, Parliament and regulatory authorities.
- Research institutions and peer-reviewed studies.
- Named eyewitnesses and subject-matter experts.
- Companies’ audited reports and official statements.
- Credible civil society organisations.
- Reputable media organisations reporting original information.
Official statements should not automatically be treated as independently verified facts. Reporters must examine the evidence and seek additional perspectives where warranted.
12.2 Verification Checklist
Before publication, editors should confirm:
- Names and titles are correct.
- Dates, locations and numerical figures are accurate.
- Quotations match the source material.
- Allegations are attributed and appropriately qualified.
- Relevant parties have been contacted for comment.
- Documents and photographs are authentic.
- The headline accurately represents the story.
- The content does not unlawfully disclose private or protected information.
Anonymous sources should be used only when the information is important, cannot reasonably be obtained on the record and the source has a credible reason to require confidentiality. The editor must know the source’s identity.
13. PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEO AND GRAPHICS
Images, videos and graphics must be relevant, authentic and properly captioned.
Captions should identify people and places accurately and explain the image’s relevance.
Do not publish manipulated images that misrepresent events. Illustrative or archival images should be labelled when readers could otherwise mistake them for current photographs.
Images of accidents, violence, death and distress must be assessed for public interest, dignity and potential harm.
AI-generated images must not be presented as authentic photographs of real events or people. Synthetic visuals used for illustration should be clearly identified.
14. DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
All content published on www.habaridaily.com or official social media accounts must comply with the publication’s editorial standards.
Digital editors should:
- Check links, images, captions and embedded material.
- Ensure headlines and social media summaries accurately reflect the article.
- Correct errors promptly.
- Monitor reader feedback and credible complaints.
- Protect account credentials and confidential editorial information.
- Avoid posting unverified breaking news simply to be first.
- Clearly distinguish news, opinion, advertising and sponsored content.
Staff must not use personal social media accounts to disclose confidential information, fabricate reporting or misrepresent the publication’s official position.
15. ETHICS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND ADVERTISING
Habari Daily Uganda separates editorial decisions from commercial interests.
Journalists must not accept bribes or undisclosed inducements in exchange for coverage. Gifts, hospitality, paid travel and other benefits must be disclosed to an editor and assessed for potential conflicts of interest.
Advertisers and sponsors must not be allowed to purchase favourable independent news coverage without appropriate disclosure.
Sponsored articles, paid promotions and advertorials must be clearly labelled. Commercial partnerships should not be represented as independent editorial endorsements.
Journalists must disclose personal, financial or other relationships that could reasonably affect their reporting.
16. CORRECTIONS AND RIGHT OF REPLY
Accuracy is an ongoing responsibility, including after publication.
When a material error is identified, the editorial team should:
- Verify the error promptly.
- Correct the article as soon as reasonably possible.
- Clearly acknowledge significant corrections.
- Update headlines, captions and social media posts where necessary.
- Preserve a record of material changes.
- Notify affected parties when appropriate.
Stories containing serious allegations should provide a reasonable opportunity for the subject to respond before publication, wherever practicable.
If a response arrives after publication, editors should assess whether it warrants an update or additional reporting.
17. EDITORIAL WORKFLOW
The normal publication process should include:
Assignment: Define the story, angle, scope, sources and deadline.
Reporting: Gather documents, interviews, observations and relevant evidence.
Drafting: Prepare a clear, accurate story in accordance with this stylebook.
Editing: Check structure, language, balance, attribution, legal risks and factual accuracy.
Verification: Confirm critical details, figures, quotations and supporting material.
Publication: Approve the headline, article, images, captions, metadata and digital presentation.
Follow-up: Monitor developments, correct errors and update stories when significant new information becomes available.
High-risk investigations, serious allegations and stories involving potential legal exposure should receive senior editorial review before publication.
18. EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND REVIEW
The editor or designated editorial lead is responsible for implementing this stylebook, resolving questions of interpretation and ensuring that published material meets the publication’s standards.
Reporters and contributors are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their submissions. Digital publishers are responsible for ensuring that approved content is presented correctly.
Silver Image Advertising Ltd should provide the organisational support, resources and editorial safeguards necessary for Habari Daily Uganda to maintain professional standards.
This stylebook should be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in Ugandan law, journalism practice, digital technology and the needs of the publication’s audience.
OUR EDITORIAL COMMITMENT
Habari Daily Uganda is committed to telling the stories that matter, explaining the issues that shape society and providing readers with information they can trust.
Our guiding principle is simple: report accurately, publish responsibly, serve the public and earn the reader’s trust every day.
