Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has dismissed claims circulating in the media that she ordered the arrest of Galaxy TV journalist David Mwesigye, describing the allegations as “baseless and misleading.”
In a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, communications officer Francis Jjingo clarified that the Prime Minister has never directed security organs to arrest Mwesigye. Instead, she asked the journalist to apologise for what she described as inaccurate information presented to President Yoweri Museveni and the public.
The controversy stems from Mwesigye’s interaction with President Museveni during the presidential nomination exercise at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Lweza, Makindye Ssabagabo.
On that occasion, the journalist raised concerns about poor service delivery in several health facilities, including Mukono Referral Hospital, Namuganga Health Centre III and Kayunga General Hospital.
He alleged that Mukono Referral Hospital lacked adequate medical equipment and staffing, that expectant mothers were giving birth on the floor, and that Kayunga Hospital’s oxygen plant was non-functional.
His remarks prompted the President to instruct Prime Minister Nabbanja to conduct a fact-finding tour of the mentioned hospitals.
Following her visit, Nabbanja acknowledged challenges at Mukono Referral Hospital but faulted Mwesigye’s account of Kayunga Hospital.
“I agree with the journalist about the situation in Mukono, but in Kayunga the hospital is fully functional. He should apologise to the President for the misleading information,” she said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that her directive was not an arrest order but a request for Mwesigye to record a statement with police regarding the contested claims.
“This talk that I ordered for his arrest is false. Journalists play an important role in educating and informing the public. However, some are sometimes used by politicians, especially the opposition, to spread misleading information,” Nabbanja noted.
Her clarification comes amid growing concerns about press freedom in Uganda, with media watchdogs urging government officials to engage constructively with journalists rather than resorting to punitive