Uganda President Museveni bans media from covering Kizza Besigye’s rally

President Yoweri Museveni has banned Ugandan media from covering events organized by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and its party leader Kizza Besigye

The president, through Uganda’s Information Minister Retired Major General Jimmy Muhwezi, has directed Uganda Communications Commission to switch off any media house that will carry a live feed of FDC activities, with police ordered to take action against newsrooms that defy the directive.

The directive comes following threats by FDC leader Kizza Besigye to hold protests and disrupt the swearing in of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni in an event to be held on May 12, 2016.

Already, military police have been seen patrolling Nation Media Group offices at Namuongo in Kampala, which houses Daily Monitor Newspaper and K FM.

All bloggers and social media journalists have also been warned against covering Besigye’s protest rally.

The executive director of Uganda communication commission Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi said the government would be forced to shut down social media if the platform is “misused”.

Meanwhile, the homes of Besigye and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago as well as FDC party offices remain no-go zone with military police cordoning them off.

The military has been deployed in the two houses to ensure the two leaders do not leave their houses nor receive any visitors.

Besigye has also stated that he would announce his cabinet, maintaining that he won the February 18 elections by 52 per cent.

Museveni was announced winner by the country’s Electoral Commission leading to wide protests from Besigye’s camp and that of third-placed Amama Mbabazi.

Mbabazi’s effort to seek reprieve from the Supreme Court did not bear fruit as the court ruled in Museveni’s favour.

By Kennes Bwire