KFM & NTV Presenter Faiza Fabz Arrested as Protests Gather Steam

Faiza Saima, popularly known as Faiza Fabz, a presenter with KFM and NTV Uganda, has been arrested for planning to join the ongoing anti-corruption protests that include a march to Uganda’s Parliament and a call to occupy streets of the capital Kampala.

Faiza Salim aka Faiza Fabz co-presents DMighty Breakfast with Brian Mulondo on 93.3 KFM. She also presents the Sweet Treats programme on NTV Uganda. Both KFM and NTV Uganda are owned by the Nation Media Group (NMG), which also runs The Daily Monitor newspaper that the president has previously criticized.

Ahead of the protests on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Faiza Fabz had made it clear she would take part as NBS TV anchor Samson Kasumba dared her to walk the talk after comedian Patrick Idringi aka Salvado watered down her resolve to take part in the protests and stand up to the Museveni regime.

“Faiza Fabz, what is the point of calling young people into a March that you will personally not be involved in? Is this honest and authentic? As in use this paint when you buy something else? You sound like people who run public hospitals yet they go for private health care. Sad,” wrote Kasumba.

“If you want a March be part of the March. Do not call anyone to participate in a street protect then you go to sit in a studio to report on the beatings and the tear gas. That is what deception does. You make people believe you will be there, people come yet the truth is tangent.”

In response, Faiza Fabz confirmed she will be part of the protests. “I will be there Samson Kasumba. I think for you, you need people to first tell you that we should fight corruption for you to fight as well,” she wrote.

Faiza Fabz was arrested alongside three other people. The others were identified as Beewol, Thomas, and Batkin Edgar. Following their arrests, they were detained at the Jinja Road Police Station in the capital Kampala.

Before she was arrested, Faiza Fabz had shared tips for her fellow protesters. “There is heavy deployment and barricades around parliament premises. There is also diversion of traffic away from parliament. Use this information to organize and coordinate your march to the people’s palace,” she advised.

Faiza Fabz also urged the anti-corruption protesters to do the “marching in groups,” “take note of each person you are marching with. Have emergency contacts at hand. Write them on your body if you must. Remember, no one is safe unless we are all safe.”

“Above all, this is a peaceful protest and should be maintained as such. Do not carry sharp objects, do not burn tires or threaten violence to the authority on ground. Show that we do not intend to harm or disrupt peace. We want our demands heard. Carry a water bottle, a handkerchief, a mask and necessary essentials for your safety and health,” she further advised.

Meanwhile, police has arrested protesters in Downtown Kampala and security has maintained heavy presence around Parliament. Ahead of the protests, President Museveni warned youths not to play with fire. (See Details Here and There).