Drama ensued in Kabale on Monday evening, when state house took over all radio station with a president’s talk show on the constitution amendment Bill 2017, denying FDC party presidential candidate Rtd.Gen. Mugisha Muntu a chance to hold an interview.
Police blocked Muntu and Ntungamo Municipality Legislator, Gerald Karuhanga from accessing Hope Radio which was set to host them. However, all radios were last evening connected to Voice of Kigezi, which was hosting the president.
Muntu was however disappointed that all radios were denied a right to broadcast their programs, but instead forced to air the president’ show, which in turn was not paid for.
“Three days ago, we booked a two hour's talk show running from 07:00 to 9:00pm on Monday evening. For us we are leaving, we did our part, the rest we will wait and see what happens” Muntu stressed.
Muntu is running for re-election as the FDC party president against Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe South MP, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, the former Kumi County MP, Moses Byamugisha and Dan Matsiko. The elections are scheduled for November 17, 2017.
Muntu was expected to feature on the talk show after meeting the FDC party delegates from Kigezi region at Kirigime guest house and a public rally at Kabale main stadium to rally support for his candidature.
Shortly after completing the rally, Muntu and his entourage made their way to the radio station but were intercepted by heavily armed police officers under the command of Kabale District Police Commander, Dickens Bindeeba.
Bindeeba said they could not allow the talk show to proceed since it is aimed at sabotaging President, Yoweri Museveni's talk show on Voice of Kigezi where he was clarifying on the proposed the proposal to amend the land law.
However, Bindeeba's explanation didn't go down well with Muntu. He asked the officers why they were overstepping their boundaries to the extent of blocking them from appearing on radio. Bonny Tumuranze, the Kabale District FDC party Secretary General, says they were surprised by the turn of events.