The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Metro FM, Capt. Francis Babu is caught up in a feud with the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Godfrey Mutabazi after Babu told him to mark where he stops in communication industry.
Mutabazi was backed up by CEO Next Media, Kin Kariisa, they exchanged bitter words with Capt. Babu after he vowing not to allow UCC run his company other than regulating it. This unfolded during the meeting of National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and UCC over the suspension of 39 journalists from 13 media houses.
Despite having Joyce Bagala, the head of News at NBS TV and other journalists suspended by the regulator from their current positions, Kariisa continued supporting Mutabazi a move that shocked many owners of media houses.
They resolved that journalist should step aside for one month for UCC to carry our investigations.
The 39 journalists are accused of airing live videos and sound bites as police arrested Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on April 29, at Kalerwe market as he proceeded to Kibuli Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he was summoned over allegations of breaching of police guidelines and traffic rules.
Below is how it started.
Babu told Mutabazi that he could have talked to the CEOs of various media house other than suspending journalists. “You could have handled it in a better way, it has gone out internationally, we are ashamed, and yesterday I heard citizens talking about us in Kenya, I was disgusted. I heard journalist in parliament insulting you and I was annoyed. I heard people saying all sorts of things, it is because of the way you have handled media issues. You would have handled it better, you would have listened,”
Babu accused Mutabazi of running to newspapers and threaten to terminate licenses of various media houses after publishing content against government. “You like going to papers and intimidate us something I don’t like, you would have talked to us, we are as good as you are.” He told him during the meeting.
Adding “We like this industry, it employs a lot of people, it is an economic venture in this county, I want you to imagine something, Aljazeera, CNN, BBC put everything on air which are insulting and our media here is locked up in jail. What are you regulating?” he asked
He said the incident reminds him of the war where they stopped listening to Radio Uganda and listened to BBC because they would tell them what was going on. Are you going to neglect them with the kind of content they publish?
Mutabazi however, felt uneasy after he threatened to discipline Capt. Babu for going against him, “Capt. kindly stick to the issue,” said Mutabazi.
Capt. Babu instead said, “No am sticking to the issue, this is where the problem is, you don’t want us to talk to you, we come here and you gamble us, let’s talk you , listen, don’t guard us, you want to be listen to and you don’t want to listen to us.
“Disciplining me, why would you discipline me, because I have spoken the truth? Disciplining me at this age, No.. No.., Time has come for us to tell you the truth, we want to work with you, but you must work with us and we must respect you don’t disrespect us.” He said.
However, Kin Kariisa started backing Mutabazi despite having Joyce Bagala, the head of News at his NBS TV and other journalists suspended by the regulator.
Kariisa interjected, Hon. Babu, Mr. Mutabazi is the chairman, let’s listen to each other, “he called us for the meeting and at the end of the day media houses have to go out with resolutions and work. Babu however, said Mutabazi too must listen to him though is the regulator.”
Babu, said “He (Mutabazi) is the regulator and I respect him, and I said so, I am not going to have UCC run our company.
Kariisa interjected gain saying that UCC must run them (media houses). Babu told him they (UCC) must regulate no running media houses.
“If Mr. Kariisa you have joined him, it is ok but am going to speak what hurts me, if you don’t want me to speak it is ok but the problem will not be solved.” Capt. Babu concluded.
