Eng. J.B. Walusimbi, the Katikkiro of Buganda, is facing a near rebellion by CBS Radio staff and listeners as he attempts to carry out President Museveni’s instructions to fire Betty Nambooze from the station. Sources at Mmengo have confirmed local news reports that the Katikkiro instructed the management of CBS Radio, including Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma (Managing Director), Kawoya Mwebe (General Manager) and Robert Kasozi (Personnel Manager) to fire Betty Nambooze and that the managers have already met Nambooze and tried to convince her to stop broadcasting her programs but stay on the payroll.
Many in Mmengo viewed Walusimbi’s aggressive efforts to get Nambooze fired, on Museveni’s instructions, as implicit disobedience to Kabaka Mutebi, who appointed Nambooze to educate Baganda on land issues. Within less than four hours, a split developed pitting Katikkiro Walusimbi and other NRM friendly individuals in Mmengo against the predominantly younger and nationalistic Buganda officials, CBS employees and die hard listeners.
According to Nambooze, she has had two meetings in connection with her work. She met with Mr. Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma and his CBS management team and they discussed the harassment that the radio station and its presenters face from the Uganda government. She also met the Katikkiro to discuss various matters, which did not include her CBS Radio employment. When asked to comment on the alleged discontinuation of her programs Nambooze responded that it is the responsibility of the management of CBS Radio to inform the public about the status of her employment as well as her programs on CBS.
Nambooze has been on CBS as a commentator, moderator and presenter since the late 1990s. She currently hosts a talk show titled “Twejjukanya” (Let’s Remember) on Sunday nights and is a panelist on the socio-political talk show “Kkiriza Oba Gaana” (Agree or Disagree) on Wednesdays. The programs are by far the most listened to in the country. In addition, Betty Nambooze is the Chairperson of Buganda Kingdom’s Central Civic Education Committee, a position to which she was directly appointed by Kabaka Mutebi. And the Kabaka has publically commended her work most of which she does on CBS Radio.
