Kigezi Journalists Decry Exclusion from Meeting with President Museveni After Covering His Three-Day Tour

Kigezi: A section of journalists from the Kigezi Sub-Region have voiced strong dissatisfaction after being left out of the meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the conclusion of his Zonal Parish Development Model (PDM) tour. The exclusion has sparked frustration among media practitioners who feel their dedication and effort in covering the president’s visit were disregarded.

From February 12 to 14, 2025, President Museveni toured the Kigezi Sub-Region, assessing the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government initiative aimed at eradicating poverty by empowering households through local economic transformation. During his visit, he commissioned several government projects, held discussions with local leaders, and addressed residents on issues of economic development and service delivery.

As is customary, the president was expected to hold a meeting with journalists from the host region at the end of the tour to engage them on various matters, particularly regarding government interventions in poverty alleviation. However, to the dismay of many local journalists, they were denied access to the meeting, with preference given to media personnel from outside Kigezi.

The State House Presidential Press Unit (PPU), under the coordination of Maj. Kiconco Tabaro, the 2nd Division UPDF Spokesperson, had accredited more than 50 journalists from Kigezi to cover the president’s activities throughout the three-day tour. These journalists diligently followed President Museveni, covering every speech, event, and interaction he had with locals. They endured long hours, waking up early and returning home late, and ensuring comprehensive media coverage of the tour.

However, when the time came for them to meet with the president on February 15, only a small fraction from Kigezi were granted access. The majority were reportedly replaced by journalists from outside the region, despite their accreditation and active participation throughout the tour.

CUE IN…..ROGDERS ON PRESIDENT//RR

Among those excluded from the meeting were, Barham Akatukunda (County Radio – Rukungiri), Obed Kankiriho (The Source News Website), Sam Ahumuza (ABK Online Television), Rodgers Asiimwe of K. Town Radio, Micah Kamusiime (Informer News Website), Derick Ampereza (Rukungiri Media TV Online), Nathan Bahangwa (Diocese of Kigezi Radio – Kabale), Kevin Bayenda (Voice of Kigezi), Nobert Ndyamuhakyi (Kigezi Online TV), Zac Anthlem (Radio Rukungiri). Several others—more than 20 in total—were also denied access despite having actively covered the presidential visit.

Journalists who were excluded from the meeting expressed deep frustration over the incident, describing it as unfair and demoralizing. Nathan Bahangwa of Diocese of Kigezi Radio and Nobert Ndyamuhakyi (Kigezi Online TV) one of those denied access, lamented the decision:

“Imagine running after the president for three days, waking up at 5 AM and returning home past midnight, spending the little money we had to cover his visit, only to be denied access when it mattered most. This was unfair. We were expecting to engage the president on issues affecting the people we serve, especially concerning the PDM program, but we were kicked out without explanation.”

CUE IN…… ZAC AND NOBERT //RR

Similarly, Kevin Bayenda (Voice of Kigezi), Obed Kankiriho (The Source News Website) and Rogers Asiimwe expressed their disappointment, noting that they had prepared vital questions on the president’s poverty eradication programs, especially the Four Acre Model farming strategy under PDM. The exclusion, they said, denied them the opportunity to seek clarifications that would have helped them report accurately to their audiences.

“Our listeners and viewers rely on us to provide them with credible and direct information from such engagements,” said Asiimwe. “Now we have no clear answers to give them because we were shut out.”

CUE IN…MICAH//ENG

Other journalists, including Derick Ampereza (Rukungiri Media TV) and Samuel Ahumuza (ABK Online TV), criticized the manner in which the selection process was handled. They questioned why journalists who had been accredited and had moved with the president throughout the region were left out in favor of outsiders.

“We assumed that since the PPU had been with us throughout the tour, they would ensure that we—journalists from Kigezi—were included in this crucial meeting. Instead, we were replaced at the last minute, which raises questions about transparency in the process,” they said.

CUE IN…… DERRICK AND BARHAM

Even some journalists who managed to meet the president admitted—under anonymity—that it was unfair to sideline their colleagues who had been actively covering the tour.

Reports indicate that the journalists who attended the meeting with President Museveni received a pledge of UGX 100 million and a drone vehicle for Kigezi journalists. However, those left out argue that their exclusion was not just an oversight but a deliberate act that undermined their efforts and contributions.

The Kigezi media fraternity is now calling for fair recognition and transparency in the selection of journalists for engagements with high-profile leaders such as the president. They are demanding that in future visits, all accredited journalists who actively cover presidential events be given an equal opportunity to participate in discussions with the head of state.

The incident has ignited debate among media professionals in the region, with many questioning whether local journalists are being sidelined in favor of national and international media outlets.

As President Museveni finalizes Ankole Sub-Region phase of his PDM tour, journalists in Kigezi hope that their concerns will be addressed and that such incidents will not be repeated in future engagements.