Mega Fm, a state broadcaster under the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has been accused of favouring the opposition.
The radio station was established with support from the Department for International Development (DFID) to prove timely accurate information towards enhancement of peace building and development in Northern Uganda.
But it was last week accused of promoting and hosting Opposition politicians by five Gulu district L.C V councilors who are Forum for Democratic Change members who include Mr Nyeko Kenneth, Mr Olweny Ballingtone Pa Onwgec, Mr Wadok Francis Awori, Mr Komakech Patrick and Mr Okoya Owen Chris.
They cited the Gulu LCV chairperson, Mr Ojara Martin Mapenduzi who is FDC saying that he is enjoying too much airtime at the Government Radio than other Acholi leaders.
However, when contacted, Ms Irene Atek, the Station Manager of Mega Fm called the accusation baseless saying that, “Most people complaining are the ones who benefitted from Acholi war debt claimants money meant for compensating people who lost their cattle during the insurgency,”
She added that, “Mega Fm has been on the forefront of telling the audience the truth and following up on money released by the government and also exposing leaders implicated.”
“I see that this FDC councilor’s alleged crossing to NRM is a high profile hoax and meant to cone money from the president and time will prove me right,” Ms Atek said.
She also said that people should stop mixing their political ambitions with political capital to de-frame others before the president.
She explained that Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) authorizes every Radio in Uganda to give one hour for government programs which Mega Fm has honored by providing air time to all the Residential District Commissioners (RDCs), LCV chairpersons, Gulu Mayor.
She however, said that that some district chairpersons want Mega Fm to give them Fuel to come to the radio while the Gulu Mayor’s Program was terminated because he was abusing it by not appearing for the program.
“If they think Gulu chairman has been speaking politics apart from Government programmes then the recordings are there for prove,” Ms Atek said.
Sources also told Acholitimes that the president immediately is reported to have called Minister of Information Jim Muhwezi and the UBC director on the matter directing them to investigate it.
