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Nabakooba warns media, politicians after crowd welcomed Bobi Wine from CBS show

Minister Judith Nabakooba

A day after crowds received Bobi Wine after a CBS Radio talk show, Minister Judith Nabakooba has threatened action against media and people who escort politicians.

On Saturday, supporters cheered presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) as he left Buganda Kingdom radio CBS.

The Ugandan government is still encouraging social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid19.

Uganda’s Coronavirus infection toll is nearing the 1,000 mark.

But excited Bobi Wine’s supporters cheered him to encourage him as he and over 40 others prepare to face President Yoweri Museveni in next year’s election.

NO ESCORTING POLITICIANS TO TALK SHOWS

It is this event that ICT and National Guidance minister Nabakooba had in mind when she warned bodabodas and supporters escorting politicians to media shows.

“Any form of large gatherings or motorcades, bodaboda escorts that accompany politicians and after their media talk shows will not be accepted,” she announced on July 05.

She further called on candidates to “exhibit responsible leadership and advise their supporters not to gather in huge numbers.”

MEDIA MISINFORMATION, HATE SPEECH

Nabakooba further vowed to crack the whip on media houses that allow guests to ‘misinform’ the public and stoke hatred.

She claimed media houses were “misusing their airtime and space to misinform the public.”

“A lot of the talk shows on radio and television are using hate speech that has potential to instigate tribal and political hatred,” she continued.

“I want to warn all media houses and political candidates that this kind of programming will not be allowed.”

The former police spokesperson also challenged the fourth estate to ensure that political campaigns via media take place within “the existing minimum broadcasting standards.”

On concerns on scientific rallies, Nabakooba noted that government was considering issuing new guidelines.

Last week, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama hinted on revision of guidelines after meeting political party leaders.

Samuel Kamugisha

Samuel Kamugisha is a Ugandan journalist, editor, language instructor, poet, fiction and non-fiction writer. A Makerere University graduate of Journalism and Communication with a decade-long experience in news reporting, writing and editing, Kamugisha is Editor at The Pearl Times. Most of his previous work was published by The Observer. When he is not doing journalism work -- which is rare -- Kamugisha will be reading or writing a short story or a poem, or caught up in the writer's block.