{UAH} Radio One Bosses Sacked Over Lukwago-gagging the press continues-mugabe style

Radio One Bosses Sacked Over Lukwago

By: John Sserwaniko

Published: December 3, 2013

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Ugandan Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka. She is the owner of Radio One.

Radio one station manager Jeff Kiwanuka Tuesday morning swung his axe even further by halting the services of more presenters.

The affected presenters are mostly from Radio one's sister radio kaboozi kubiri.

They include; Basajjamivule aka Abbey Sewakiryanga, PK Bossa Ssengendo, Simon Kaggwa Njala and Kamya Makumbi, the latest victim.

Kiwanuka, acting on orders of owner and Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka, has been separately ringing these presenters asking them to stay away from the station. Fearing to be sued for wrongful dismissal, radio one management has been witty, sacking them without anything written.

INSIDE STORY

We have obtained details behind these actions. Sources say Kiwanuka has been under pressure to restrain these political presenters from hosting any opposition actors to discuss the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago impeachment which court has since declared null and void.

Makumbi's troubles began way back after independence when he hosted Col Besigye and Erias Lukwago to discuss why they walked out on the president during the celebrations in Rukungiri.

Apparently, his crime was hosting Kintu Nyago, a lightweight politician, to counter whatever scorn the two political giants poured on President Museveni that evening. The show was held on Eid Day and Nyago cried out saying Makumbi should have invited a heavier person like PM Amama Mbabazi or Frank Tumwebaze.

Makumbi ignored him saying as a former PPS to the president, he was good enough to counter Besigye and Lukwago. Sources close to Maria Kiwanuka say since that day security, whose moles are always listening, recording and scrutinizing all talk shows, blacklisted Kamya Makumbi and waited for an opportunity to strike.

As for Basajjamivule, his problem was all of a sudden changing to begin bashing KCCA boss Jennifer Musisi who used to be his ally. Claiming betrayal and being sidelined by KCCA iron lady, Mivule has lately been very belligerent towards Musisi while glorifying Lukwago whom he has been bashing on his morning show called Kalasamayanzi.

He onetime threatened to reveal Musisi's best kept secrets, being someone formerly close to her, something security may not have liked.

As for PK Bossa, he is one journalist Tamale Mirundi has been complaining against arguing that his morning show, co-hosted with one Ddembe Zaina, is a platform to propagate DP propaganda.

Njala's trouble stems from airing a mid morning program on kaboozi kubiri during which people call in and bash the central government. The state is also uncomfortable with morning breeze program on NBS TV which hosts political debates every morning.

"I'm in trouble. All my programs are being complained against but I will keep trying to be professional, objective and cautious" Njala told his NBS viewers Tuesdayday morning.

He looked scared and very pensive. Meanwhile, Top Radio's Richard Kamagu, who security sources have since blacklisted as a Sejusa man, is back on air and has continued demonizing anti-Lukwago councilors. He was recently arrested and detained at Wandegeya police station ostensibly for being hostile to KCCA technical wing.

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