A group of journalists from the Teso Sub-region have stirred public discourse after they unanimously rejected facilitation from Democratic Front (DF) leader Hon. Mathias Mpuuga during the launch of the party’s regional offices in Soroti City.
The incident unfolded during the official opening of the Democratic Front’s Teso regional offices, where Mpuuga, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, had met a delegation of DF Teso leaders.
The event was meant to boost DF’s visibility in Eastern Uganda following a recent wave of defections from the National Unity Platform (NUP).
However, what was anticipated to be a smooth event took a dramatic turn when journalists covering the occasion declined to receive transport and logistical facilitation offered by the organizers.
The media professionals cited ethical concerns, mistrust, and unresolved political controversies surrounding Mpuuga as reasons for their rejection.
Speaking on behalf of the group, a senior journalist from one of the leading media house in Soroti said the media fraternity could not accept “dirty money” tied to unresolved political scandals.
“Hon. Mpuuga has never come out clearly to explain his role in the controversial UGX 500 million handshake in Parliament. Accepting money from him would compromise our ethical standing,” said the journalist, who requested anonymity for professional reasons.
He was referring to the 2023 scandal in which Mpuuga was accused of receiving UGX 500 million under questionable circumstances during his tenure as Leader of Opposition, a matter that sparked outrage among anti-corruption crusaders and civil society organizations.
The journalists further accused Mpuuga of allegedly working behind the scenes with journalists from Masaka to destabilize the National Unity Platform (NUP), the party he broke ranks with after falling out with its leadership led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
They claimed that these actions contributed to the arrest of several NUP loyalists including Eddie Mutwe, Kyagulanyi’s longtime head of security.
“We believe that the current wave of defections being celebrated by DF is part of a wider scheme to discredit NUP, and we cannot be part of it by accepting envelopes,” added another freelance journalist.
In addition to their dissatisfaction with Mpuuga, the journalists expressed concern over the manner in which the DF Teso leadership was reportedly managing affairs.
They accused team of staging defections by falsely parading individuals as NUP defectors, when in reality, some of them had long ceased active participation in NUP politics.
“It’s disingenuous for DF Teso team to present retired or inactive political actors as fresh converts from NUP to DF. This undermines both journalistic credibility and the democratic process,” the journalists stated in a collective message.
Despite the controversy, neither Mpuuga nor the DF Teso party officials addressed the journalists’ refusal during the one on one conversation at Hursey Resort in Soroti City.
The DF delegation included prominent opposition figures such as Samuel Lubega, Michael Mabikke, and Grace Nakanwangi, who had earlier applauded the wave of defections from NUP as a sign of political maturity and rising confidence in the DF movement.
Political analysts in Teso say the development could dent DF’s efforts to gain traction in the region, especially if media relations remain sour.
“Journalists are key stakeholders in political communication and public trust. If they distance themselves from a party’s activities, it affects narrative control,” noted Martin Okwi, a political analyst based in Soroti.
He urged the DF leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with the local media and address lingering concerns that may undermine their growing political base in Eastern Uganda.
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