By Isaac Mites
It’s not the first time Uganda’s leading TV station, NTV is locking horns with Uganda’s State house officials in charge of press. Earlier in the week the Serena based, NTV had allegedly been banned from covering all the events attended by the H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the president of the republic of Uganda.
This is because NTV followed a news story in which reporters alleged that President Museveni was among government officials who were deep asleep during the reading of the national budget last week on Thursday. Officials made it clear that the president was not sleeping as alleged by NTV news reporters, rather he was meditating with his eyes closed.
“Even during our internal meetings at State House, he sometimes closes his eyes to meditate. This is not a new thing. All we want is NTV to give respect to the President. Whether you like him or not, you can’t make fun of him in a very disparaging way. A President is a President.” Read a statement.
In response, NTV Uganda has released a statement dismissing all these claims. Read the statement in full below:
“NTV (U) would like to dismiss the social media allegations that it has been suspended from covering Presidential functions as false, baseless and untrue. These allegations have been fanned by some reckless persons/media outlets following an image posted on social media depicting the person of the President in a compromising position. NTV would like to confirm that the image was taken and posted by an unknown person with the intention of tarnishing the image of the station and the President. We urge whoever is behind these viral allegations to stop henceforth or else face the consequences of these actions going forward. NTV (U) is committed to its editorial policy of fair, accurate and balanced reporting and would like to disassociate itself from such irresponsible acts. We continue to shape the agenda of debate on Uganda and for Uganda and pride in professional reporting. We apologize to the President for this mishap and urge our viewers to exercise restraint while sharing our images on social media.”
Contact Isaac Mites
@Jigsaw_myts
Mob: 0788522010