Bugiri, Uganda: Police on Sunday night cut short a live political talk show featuring Bukooli Central Member of Parliament and Bugiri District NRM Chairperson Solomon Silwany after officers stormed Eastern Voice FM 102.3, citing concerns that the programme was allegedly inciting the public.
The incident occurred during The Eastern Parliament, a popular weekly political programme hosted by Lyagoba Bumali, where Silwany had joined listeners via telephone at around 9:00 p.m.
According to witnesses, the broadcast was interrupted about an hour into the scheduled three-hour programme when Bugiri District Police Commander (DPC) SP Annet Tusiime arrived at the radio station accompanied by several police officers and ordered management to terminate the show.
Police reportedly informed the station that the programme was being stopped over concerns that its content was allegedly capable of inciting members of the public.
At the time of the interruption, Silwany was responding to questions about his first term as Member of Parliament, reports of an impending arrest linked to the Anita Among saga, and efforts to reconcile divisions within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Bugiri District.
The abrupt end to the programme attracted curious residents who gathered outside the radio station as police officers remained at the premises.
Silwany alleges ministerial involvement
Hours after the incident, Silwany posted a message in a popular Bugiri political WhatsApp group alleging that the directive to stop the programme originated from ICT and National Guidance Minister Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, whom he referred to as “the minister for radio stations.”
However, DailyExpress could not independently verify the claim, and by press time neither Lumumba nor the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance had issued a response to the allegations.
Silwany and Lumumba have for years been regarded as influential political figures in Bugiri District, where both command significant support within the NRM.
The radio interruption came just hours after Minister Lumumba presided over a reconciliation meeting at the Bugiri District Headquarters aimed at fostering unity within the NRM ahead of the Local Council I (LC I) elections.
Although several political leaders attended the meeting, Silwany was absent after reportedly sending apologies.
Unverified reports circulating among local political actors alleged that some of Lumumba’s supporters informed her about remarks Silwany made regarding the reconciliation meeting during the live programme, prompting the intervention by police. These claims have not been independently confirmed.
The management of Eastern Voice FM confirmed that the programme ended before its scheduled conclusion but referred inquiries regarding the circumstances surrounding the interruption to the police.
By press time, the Uganda Police Force had not issued an official statement explaining the reasons for halting the broadcast.
The incident has sparked fresh debate over political freedoms, media independence and policing of live political programmes in Bugiri as the district prepares for the ongoing local council electoral process.
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