National Unity Platform (NUP) activist Daniel Kawuma has sharply criticised NBS TV, accusing the media house of downplaying the alleged abduction of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago during its Tuesday night political programming.
In a statement, Kawuma expressed frustration over what he termed as misplaced editorial priorities, saying the broadcaster spent significant airtime discussing internal matters of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) while giving limited attention to Lukwago’s arrest and detention.
“It feels like folks live in different worlds in Uganda,” Kawuma said. “On one side, an innocent man was brutally arrested and paraded on social media by Museveni’s son and CDF; on the other hand, you have a media house, NBS, dedicating the majority of their political coverage to hosting guests to discuss the PLU leadership.”
Kawuma’s remarks follow widespread political debate in Uganda after Lukwago was reportedly arrested by security forces under circumstances that have sparked public concern and calls for accountability from opposition figures and civil society actors.
He further criticised what he described as public desensitisation to alleged state excesses, warning that silence or selective coverage by influential media platforms could weaken public pressure for accountability.
“We have a bipolar society numb to brutality and lawlessness,” he said. “Maybe one day it will knock on their doors and prompt them to take it seriously.”
His comments come at a time when Uganda’s political environment remains tense, with opposition groups accusing security agencies of increasing arbitrary arrests, while government-aligned voices maintain that security operations are conducted within the law.