Focus on Promoting Patriotism and Avoid Politics of Identity – President Museveni to members of National Association of Broadcasters
At a meeting with broadcasters yesterday, August 10, 2023, at State House in Entebbe, H.E. Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, urged broadcasters under their umbrella body, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to always be patriotic and refrain from promoting politics of identity.
The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, met broadcasters under their umbrella body, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and asked them to always be patriotic and avoid promoting politics of identity) at State House, Entebbe, yesterday 10th August 2023.
The President told the NAB team that in 1965, he began fighting sectarianism and politics of identity, based on three objectives: Prosperity for Africa, Strategic Security and Brotherhood. He asked media houses to read the history of Uganda and compare the country’s past with the present. He said NRM will not allow such politics back in the country.
The meeting follows NAB announcing a countrywide ban on covering government activities over a contentious ban on state advertising in private media houses.
NAB’s Secretary General, Mr. Joseph Beyanga, conveyed the association’s stance, that they would not be giving coverage to government activities until the misunderstanding is resolved.
Beyanga argued that the directive on advertising amounts to an abuse of free speech and undermines the democratic processes that the government has been advocating for.
“The directive on advertising is an affront to free speech and the democratic principles that the government has been promoting. We are willing to discuss this matter, but until a mutually agreeable solution is reached, we stand firm in our decision,” said Beyanga.
He urges NAB members to prioritize fostering patriotism and steer clear of identity-based politics, as discussed during the State House, Entebbe meeting yesterday 10th august 2023.
During the meeting, also attended by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Mr Ramathan Ggoobi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr Chris Baryomunsi, informed the President that the private broadcasters were failing to pay staff salaries and taxes as a result of his directive to the Prime Minister in his letter dated 6th of March, 2023, in which he directed that all Government advertising business be channelled to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and New Vision.
H.E Museveni accepted the appeal and asked Hon. Baryomunsi to meet with the NAB team next week to harmonise the position on how they will be considered for Government advertising spending. He said that his directive was not intended to harm the private sector but to help revitalise UBC.
The NAB team, led by Mr Kin Kariisa, agreed that UBC needs special consideration.
