Ugandan Military Accuses NTV of Distorting Public Safety Message, Denies Voter Intimidation
The Ugandan military has issued a sharp rebuke to a major national broadcaster, accusing it of “false and misleading” reporting that distorted a message intended to ensure public safety during the electoral period.
In a statement titled “Clarification On Misleading Reporting by NTV Uganda,” Captain David K Kamya, the Public Information Officer for the 4 Infantry Division, strongly objected to a recent NTV news story. The military claims the report inaccurately framed a cautionary advisory as a threat of violence against voters.
“The framing presented by the NTV reporter… is false, misleading, and an inaccurate reflection of both the substance and intention of the original message,” the statement reads. It asserts that the core message was a “cautionary appeal” specifically directed at youth, urging them not to be manipulated into participating in street violence, riots, or unlawful gatherings.
The military outlined the three central tenets of its original advisory:
- Protection of the Vulnerable: A warning that those inciting violence often remain safe while youth face the direct consequences of law enforcement.
- Public Order: A call for calm and responsible conduct to prevent the democratic process from being marred by chaos.
- Democratic Rights: An insistence that the message was never intended to intimidate voters or discourage the exercise of constitutional rights.
“The suggestion by NTV – Uganda that this advisory constituted a ‘threat’ to peaceful citizens is a grave distortion,” Captain Kamya stated, arguing that such reporting risks inciting unnecessary public fear and tension.
The statement concludes with a call for responsible journalism and a direct appeal to citizens: “We reiterate our call to the citizens of Uganda: Go out and vote peacefully, and thereafter, return home safely.”
As of now, NTV Uganda has not issued a public response to the military’s allegations. The clarification underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding election-related communications and the critical role of media framing in periods of political activity.
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