The minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development Chris Baryomunsi has said that there is no directive barring opposition politicians from being hosted on upcountry radios and television stations.
Baryomunsi’s statement follows concerns raised by members of parliament on Thursday during plenary when they questioned why opposition MPs and their leaders were being blocked from using the media.
Baryomunsi’s statement follows concerns raised by members of parliament on Thursday during plenary when they questioned why opposition MPs and their leaders were being blocked from using the media.
Lately, opposition politicians including Kizza Besigye have been during talkshows literally plucked out of upcountry radio stations by both police and army personnel.
Also, this week, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered for the immediate suspension of 39 journalists from at least 13 media houses over alleged failure to meet minimum broadcasting standards when they published stories about Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine's arrest at Mulago hospital.
According to Francis Mwijukye, the Buhweju County MP, on Wednesday, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Amuria was blocked from a talkshow at Liberty FM in Hoima district even after paying money.
"They paid one million shillings to the radio station for airtime. At 8pm when the programme was beginning, Hon Amuriat, the party president was introducing the programme, police came and asked him to leave the studio. Now it is no longer just about two people - Dr Kizza Besigye or Bobi Wine. There are orders that we don’t know that say so and so can speak on radio, the others cannot speak...This coming after a radio station in Jinja, another radio station in Mubende, another radio in Soroti and another radio in Kabale." Mwijukye said.
However, Baryomunsi says government has not issued any such directives. He said the perceived ban is just imaginary because the NRM government can defeat its opponents politically and there would be no need for banning them from accessing media houses.
According to Francis Mwijukye, the Buhweju County MP, on Wednesday, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Amuria was blocked from a talkshow at Liberty FM in Hoima district even after paying money.
"They paid one million shillings to the radio station for airtime. At 8pm when the programme was beginning, Hon Amuriat, the party president was introducing the programme, police came and asked him to leave the studio. Now it is no longer just about two people - Dr Kizza Besigye or Bobi Wine. There are orders that we don’t know that say so and so can speak on radio, the others cannot speak...This coming after a radio station in Jinja, another radio station in Mubende, another radio in Soroti and another radio in Kabale." Mwijukye said.
However, Baryomunsi says government has not issued any such directives. He said the perceived ban is just imaginary because the NRM government can defeat its opponents politically and there would be no need for banning them from accessing media houses.
"I just want to say that kind of directive has not been issued by government unless if you have issued it from your side of the opposition. Dr Kizza Besigye and Hon. Kyagulanyi or any other opposition leader have not been barred from appearing on public media. I personally own a radio in Kanungu and I have not received such a directive." Baryomunsi said.
Last month, security personnel reportedly switched off Hope Radio in Kabale municipality after hosting FDC leaders including Besigye the former FDC president, Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC chairperson of the Women's League, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, the party president, William Nzoghu, the Busongora North MP and Roland Mugume Kaginda, the MP for Rukungiri Municipality.
Allan Twongyeirwe, the talk-show host said that before the show started, he received a phone call from Darius Nandiinda, the Kabale resident district commissioner (RDC) ordering him not to host the FDC leaders.
Last month, security personnel reportedly switched off Hope Radio in Kabale municipality after hosting FDC leaders including Besigye the former FDC president, Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC chairperson of the Women's League, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, the party president, William Nzoghu, the Busongora North MP and Roland Mugume Kaginda, the MP for Rukungiri Municipality.
Allan Twongyeirwe, the talk-show host said that before the show started, he received a phone call from Darius Nandiinda, the Kabale resident district commissioner (RDC) ordering him not to host the FDC leaders.