Security chiefs meet Better FM radio manager over the ‘listener’s forum’ program.

Security chiefs from the Internal Security Organization (ISO) held a meeting on Monday, 16^th July, 2012 (Monday) with the Better FM radio manager Nyakahuma Patrick over the ‘Listeners Forum’ radio talk show held on Sunday, 15^th July, 2012.

According to Nyakahuma, the security chiefs wanted a recording of the talkshow to enable them review it because they viewed it as 'controversial.' ToroDev Executive Director, Johnstone Baguma described the meeting as a form of intimidation by Uganda security agents over the years to repress civil society organizations involved in empowering communities take charge of their own destiny through demanding accountability from their leaders.

Participants from Kisomoro on the show.

Nyakahuma indicated that the talkshow was within the limits of the law but the threats by the security chiefs should be taken seriously. He appealed to panelists to always tactfully present their issues without directly attacking political leaders to avoid such security interrogation’s which might eventually result in closure of the FM radio station and continued arrests and intimidation of civil society activists.  

In 2009, four FM radio stations in Uganda were closed including the Buganda Kingdom radio called CBS FM which were accused of broadcasting issues which were promoting insecurity during the Buganda riots when the government denied the Buganda King to tour one of his County of Bugerere.

An inside source in the meeting told ToroDev that the Uganda leadership is tightening the grip on FM radio stations across the country following the increasing unrest over corruption, bad service delivery, high inflation, high unemployment rates and recent loses in parliamentary by-elections by the ruling NRM party. FM radios are the most popular media channel for information access and sharing especially by the rural populace since they are cheap and convenient to their lifestyles.

The radio program which was moderated by ‘Listeners Forum’ Mukonyenzi Wilfred was discussing, “Service delivery in Kabarole district; A case of Kisomoro Sub-County.” The talkshow included panelists from Kisomoro Sub- County namely; Kiiza Clovis Pantaleo, Yoweri Besisa and Muganzi Richard and Magezi Anthony from Karambi Sub-County in Kabarole District.

The panelists highlighted issues of poor infrastructure especially the Isekahora Bridge in Kisomoro Sub-County which broke down a few months after being worked on due to shoddy work as a result of corruption.

They also reminded political leaders to fulfill their promises they made during the campaigns to help improve the livelihoods of the people in the sub county. The panelists also highlighted issues of poor health services, poor road network and limited support to the agricultural sector resulting in the high unemployment rates in the Sub-County of Kisomoro.

The ‘listeners Forum’ radio program which aims at discussing issues of public accountability for improved service delivery is held every Sunday (08:00 – 10:00pm) on Better FM Fort Portal; the radio talkshow is sponsored by Toro Development Network (ToroDev) a local public accountability NGO operating in the Rwenzori Region of Western Uganda.

Documented by Solomon Akugizibwe