Political strategist Egesa Ronald has defended the Daily Monitor following criticism over its reporting on the prolonged absence of First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni, saying the media acted within its mandate to question accountability in public office.
His remarks come amid growing public debate in Uganda after sections of citizens accused the newspaper of going too far with its headline, which raised concerns about the whereabouts of the senior Cabinet Minister.
The discussion has since expanded into broader questions about transparency, governance communication, and the role of the media in scrutinising powerful offices.
Egesa argued that the backlash against the publication misses the central issue of public accountability, insisting that citizens have a right to know the status of officials entrusted with state responsibility.
“There is a group claiming that the Daily Monitor Newspaper went overboard with this headline. Let me ask a few questions;”
“1. Besides being First Lady, is Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni a public officer? YES, she is the outgoing and incoming Minister for Education.”
“2. Do the citizens have a right to know whether their public officers such as cabinet Ministers are no shows at work and the reason thereof? YES.”
He further questioned whether government had provided any formal communication regarding the minister’s absence, arguing that the lack of clarity had contributed to speculation and public concern.
“3. Is there any record or communication from the Government about the Hon. Minister for Education going on sick leave? NO.”
“4. Has the Government failed on PR in this issue? I think so.”
Egesa maintained that responsibility for the communication gap lay with government institutions rather than the media, adding that the situation could have been handled more transparently to avoid public speculation.
“Instead of putting the blame where it lies - with those that are not communicating clearly to the citizens the status of the Hon. Minister for Education - to allow the religious to pray for her (if need be), they are blaming the newspaper that is asking the right question.”
He also raised concerns about the implications of appointing close family members of the President into high public office, arguing that it places them under heightened public scrutiny and reduces the expectation of private life.
“The day President Museveni started appointing his family members into public offices, he stripped them of a certain level of privacy that would be accorded to them. Let us be very clear.”