Kabale, Uganda – The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has stepped in to mediate a media dispute involving Bishop Gaddie Akanjuna of the Kigezi Diocese and radio presenter Rodgers Asiimwe, known as Obwengula, from K-town Radio.
The UCC’s action follows a formal complaint by Bishop Akanjuna, filed on January 17, alleging that Obwengula has consistently abused him on air, particularly regarding accusations of promoting sectarianism.
In his complaint, the Bishop claimed that during a radio program in early January 2025, Obwengula accused him of instructing church leaders not to allow Rubanda District Woman MP aspirant Jacqueline Katabazi to speak at an event, which was viewed as an act against inclusivity due to Katabazi’s Catholic affiliation.
Obwengula cited an event held at Nyarurambi Church of Uganda where Bishop Akanjuna’s alleged directive was purportedly followed, resulting in Katabazi being barred from addressing the congregation.
Following the viral spread of the audio recording, Bishop Akanjuna sought intervention from the UCC, after unsuccessful efforts to resolve the issue amicably.
The UCC previously reached out to K-town Radio management for their side of the story, but details of their response have not been made public.
The UCC has now invited both parties, including K-town Radio’s management and Bishop Akanjuna, to a meeting scheduled for March 11, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Kampala to discuss the matter further.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of growing concerns about sectarianism in the Kigezi sub-region, which has been publicly condemned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The President warned that those engaging in sectarian practices will face legal repercussions and urged the media to highlight such misconduct.
Furthermore, there have been reports of Catholic priests involving themselves in political campaigning, which President Museveni has described as “poisonous.”
He has called upon the public to resist these trends and pledged governmental action to address these societal divisions.
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