Within hours after a lecture from president Museveni’s chief censor, the management of foreigner owned Capital Radio issued a memo announcing new anti-Buganda policies. Rwandese Godfrey Mutabazi, Museveni’ airwaves enforcer visited Capital Radio and, using his infamous talking points (see “Rwandese Godfrey Mutabazi Censures Uganda Radios, His Talking Points“), specified what the station could and couldn’t broadcast. There was no resistance from the owners, who after a brief discussion, instructed the deputy general manager to implement.

Sources in Kampala tell us that members of the Baganda youth population have taken careful note of Capital FM’s eagerness to collaborate Buganda occupiers.

The memo which Capital Radio management sent to all its presenters, to implement the new anti-Buganda policies is shown below.

To: All Capital Radio Limited Presenters

Cc: Caroline Mukidi Wandera, Derick Nkajja, Jared Mokobo, George Manyali, Patricia Okoed Bukumunhe, Gloria Nakiyimba

Date: 29^th September 2009

Re: BUGANDA CONTENT

Following a meeting with the Broadcasting Council today concerning certain forms of on air content on Beat FM that can be deemed inciting and may have potential to inflame public sentiments, we are required to make key adjustments to our content broadcast on both Capital Radio and Beat FM.

All content relating to Buganda-the Buganda Kingdom and the institution of the Kabaka-will not be aired on both stations, unless as positive stories run in the New Vision or Bukedde newspapers covered in our press review. The stories which are positive are those that enhance the relationship between the Central Government and the Buganda Kingdom and do not incite the public into violence. In this context we shall not however give opinion but report them as fact.

More specific to Beat FM, we shall:

(a)  Stop all talk and promos in support of Buganda Certificates.

(b)  Stop all talk and promos in support of the Buganda Football Tournament Cup finals Amasaza Cup this Saturday

(c)   Stop all songs about Buganda and in some cases those about Buganda ’s quest for federo or those eulogizing the Kabaka and SeKabaka’s.

(d)  Stop all traditional drums and shakers that introduced the evening drive interspersed with homage to the Kabaka.

(e)  Stop any other comment that promotes the Buganda Kingdom or the Kabaka.

(f)   Stop all news coverage about Mengo or the Kabaka.

We shall only focus on lifestyle and entertainment content throughout our broadcasts.

For any future changes on this policy, I will duly communicate

Joel IsabiryeDeputy
General Manager
Programme Controller
Capital Radio Limited

Barak Obama has just ended a trip to Europe and Africa, which included an address to Ghana’s parliament. Here, he laid out his agenda and expectations for African nations. Most important was the development of democratic and transparent governments throughout the continent. To this end, the United States will put emphasis on ending long standing conflicts through more aggressive diplomatic measures than those practiced by the Bush and Clinton administration.

The White House is going to appoint a special envoy to central Africa to investigate the problems of eastern Congo because they believe that the future stability of the region is dependent on one of its largest countries. Senior administration officials said that the US believes that the primary problems in eastern Congo are foreign agents, such as the rebel groups, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Rwanda and the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. Plus the governments of Uganda and Rwanda which are profiting from keeping the region destabilized.

The United States interest in the region is not purely selfless. The Atlantic Ocean waters off Congo and Angola are a major source of America’s oil imports and the Obama has limited confidence that President Kabila can hold the Democratic Republic of Congo together.