KAMPALA, Uganda (UG Standard) — Uganda’s opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) on Tuesday accused local TV station NBS of airing a “malicious” and “false” report claiming the party’s offices in northern Uganda have closed, sparking concerns over media bias ahead of the country’s next elections.
“This is not just poor journalism, but a deliberate attempt to project a negative image of our party,” the NUP said in a statement, condemning the report as “propaganda.”
The NBS TV report alleged that the NUP had shut down its offices in northern Uganda, a claim the party vehemently denies.
“We have five operational offices in the northern region — in Gulu, Lira, Arua, Moroto, and Koboko — which are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” the NUP stated. “We have administrators who run these offices, and our doors are always open to the public.”
The party’s leadership expressed outrage over the report, questioning NBS TV’s motives.
“If NBS wasn’t intentional, they would have visited any of our offices during working days and hours,” the statement read. “We take strong exception to the deliberate lies being peddled by NBS TV.”
NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya echoed this sentiment.
https://x.com/NUP_Ug/status/1849025176136032405?t=IHet7b5M69Iqdt_AuMS47g&s=19
“It’s shocking that NBS TV would stoop so low as to broadcast false information,” Rubongoya told The Associated Press. “This is a clear attempt to discredit our party and undermine our efforts to mobilize support.”
The NUP demanded a retraction and apology from NBS TV.
“We expect NBS TV to retract this false story and apologize to the people of Uganda,” the statement concluded. “Failure to do so will confirm our fears that they are complicit in efforts to rig the next election.”
Uganda’s next general elections are scheduled for 2026, with President Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) party facing increasing opposition from the NUP and other groups.
The NUP, led by popular opposition figure Bobi Wine, has gained significant support among Uganda’s youth with its “People Power” movement.
Tuesday’s dispute highlights concerns over media bias and misinformation in Uganda’s increasingly polarized political landscape.
