This
month the institution of Parliament featured with lots of crises. This month we
witnessed different organizations doing something about their crises.
Outstanding advocacy PR tools were used during the closure of Monitor
publications which is commendable. They used the courts of law and the Court of Public opinion to their advantage. They
shared the uncertain future of children who benefited from Monitor
scholarships.
Media siege by Uganda police
The
Uganda Police obtained a search warrant authorizing the search of the Daily
Monitor and Red pepper premises for the letter allegedly written by General Sejjusa.
Uganda police closed Red pepper and Daily monitor together with two radio stations
after declaring them crime scenes. The Uganda Police responded with excessive
force which attracted unnecessary attention. East African Newspapers carried an
editorial on media siege. The media siege dented the Ugandan image locally,
regionally and internationally. Most critics think the government should have
handled the media issue better. International and regional newspapers, US
Embassy in Uganda, Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), politicians,
human rights activists, and members of the civil society condemned the media
siege. The most famous hash tag was ‘#mediasierge’. Uganda police ignored a
court order instructing them to vacate monitor premises. Police found this to
be highly irregular. On May 30, 2013, Media houses were allowed to resume
operations. Daily monitor’s reopening following 11 days of police siege was
allegedly after negotiations with government according to a government statement.
This introduced a debate on future compromised editorial policy of the Daily
Monitor. Monitor publications has since responded to the issue in Public
notices “Monitor:
What
we agreed with government” reassuring the public about their
editorial policy of publishing all news as long as it is in public interest.
IGG
opened fresh investigations at NSSF
The
Inspector General of Government started wide ranging investigations into
National Social Security Fund over allegations of fraud and corruption by a
whistle blower. Some allegations relate to alleged irregular Umeme Shares
purchase, disposal of Land at Namirembe, joint venture with SBI for planned
housing estate at Lubowa among other concerns. This is a heavy blow to the fund
manager at a time when it has embarked on a rigorous re-branding exercise. NSSF
is not new to funds mismanagement scandals. Scandals at NSSF have in the past
resulted into sacking and prosecution of former top leaders. NSSF has since embraced
good PR tools to set the record straight by responding to the allegations.
Employees are yet to witness the renewed promise by the new NSSF.
Expelled NRM MPs
VS NRM
The
Speaker of parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga ruled that the four expelled NRM
rebel MPs cannot lose their seats. NRM Secretary General, Mr Amama Mbabazi had demanded
the speaker to declare the MPs’ seats vacant after their expulsion from NRM.NRM
has since registered aspirants for the
posts in case they fell vacant. The matter of rebel Mps has since gone to
court. This has yielded to grounds. This
follows a case in court relating to the expelled MPs.
Alleged forgery of the final KCCA
petition recommendation report.
The
report was presented to Parliament with ten out of 17 members on the committee
signing it. The report followed a petition on alleged mismanagement of KCCA to
parliament through Hon. Betty Namboze Bakireke (DP, Mukono Municipality). The
report recommends that President Yoweri Museveni takes over the executive
functions of KCCA for six months. Members on the Committee of Public Service
and Local Government raised doubts over its authenticity. The committee
Chairperson and her deputy are said to have locked out the Clerk out of the
parliament as the concluded with the report. The local government committee had
a stormy meeting which ended prematurely with members exchanging bitter words.
This was also aired on some local Televisions. Improper conduct of some members
of parliament projected the institution negatively. The Deputy Speaker of
parliament Jacob Oulanyah ruled that the office of the Clerk investigates the
authenticity of the KCCA.KCCA report forgery allegations is a dent on the
integrity of parliament.
Police
started a hunt to recover at least 200 diplomatic passports suspected to have
gone missing from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control. The
Deputy Police Spokesperson, Mr Patrick Onyango, said the diplomatic passports
had already been made but the only procedure not done was the placing of names
and photographs of the bearers and their titles. Some officials from Immigration
were arrested as investigations into
circumstances under which the passports went missing continue. There are
several Ugandans holding diplomatic passports illegally who are facing criminal
charges abroad. This has been an embarrassment to Uganda. Former junior
minister was allegedly arrested in India with a diplomatic passport. The
Immigration passport department has released press statements declaring their
position on the same which is recommendable.
Irene Namubiru arrest in Japan over
illegal drugs
Namubiru
was arrested at Naita Airport Japan after her luggage was found with illicit
drugs. she claimed that she had no idea about what was in the luggage she was
given to deliver. Irene was scheduled to perform in Japan. It remains a PR
scandal though most Ugandans felt Irene Namubiru was a victim of a set up. All
events were confirmed by Interpol officials in Uganda. Some bloggers shared a
theory portraying it as a PR stunt as a build up to her upcoming album launch. This
is a negative dot on her image. There will always be online negative search
results about her. Colleagues and relatives organized a church service to pray
for. This was a good PR tactic tool utilising the court of Public Opinion.
Namubiru tweeted after her release and date of return. She had a hero’s welcome
in Uganda. This is still an ongoing crisis. Irene’s manager
then Thadeus Mubiru has since made a public apology over the same. Kim
Tumwesigye was arrested by the police over the scandal. Irene struggles on
to save her image.
Judge Choudry Vs Judge Yorokamu Bamwine
There
has been an exchange of attacks between High Court judge Anup Singh Choudry and
the Principal Judge, Yorokamu Bamwine. Judge Yorokamu Bamwine kicked out Judge
Singh Choudry from his chambers. On March 28, 2013; Chouldry delivered a judgment
in the case ordered the partners in the firm to pay shs 37b in damages. Uganda
law society petitioned against his appointment in 2012.Chouldry was
discontinued from practicing law in England after his firm reportedly got in
trouble and was subsequently closed in 2001. Some people believe that Chouldry
slapped the hefty award on the lawyers to hit at Uganda law society for questioning
his eligibility. Critics feel the two judges would have opted for appropriate
forums to talk peace.
Ivan N. Baliboola
The author has worked with some of the most
well-known and influential East African brands, conducting marketing, Public
relations, strategies, crisis management, and social media. He is a proud Award winner of the prestigious Public
Relations Association of Uganda excellence Awards. He has volunteered
his life to addressing environment and health related causes. He is also a
blogger, professional critic, and strategist.
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