Uganda Radio Stations Warned Against Hosting Kizza Besigye

Uganda Radio Stations have been warned against hosting members of the opposition party including Dr Kizza Besigye.

Speaking on the matter, the chairperson of Lango Radio Owners Association Mr JB Okello Okello noted that several radio station managers had been warned against hosting authorities from the opposition party.

This was revealed after stations in Lira District in northern Uganda refused to host leaders from the opposition ahead of their planned meetings over the weekend.

Mr Okello mentioned: “They (authorities) did not make any formal communication to the radio stations but there have been a lot of threats from the security that no radio station should host Dr Besigye.”

Opposition President Patrick Oboi Amuriat lamented that they tried to approach radio stations with the hope of speaking to their followers from various districts but they were denied the opportunity even after offering to pay for the airtime.

Amuriat stated: “We had hoped to speak to the public through radios and then later have a public rally at Lira Mayor’s Gardens. We had a meeting which was successful. The attendance was good and we were able to speak to our leaders.

“We got discouraged by the fact that we were not able to speak to the people of Lango via radio. We went to all the radio stations with the hope that we could pay for airtime and speak to the people,” he expressed.

Read: Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Arrested During A Radio Interview

The party further revealed that they had planned a public rally but was stopped by security officials.

However Lisa District Commissioner Milton Odongo denied claims that radio managers were warned against hosting the opposition leaders.

Odongo asserted: “If there is any claim that I threatened them let them come out. I did not threaten any radio with closure.”

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