Shaka Ssali Bends ‘Straight Talk Africa’ Debate!
Feb 29, 2004
SIR— As ardent listener of Straight Talk Africa Programme, I have noticed lately the bias of the presenter of this programme Mr Shaka Ssali.
SIR— As ardent listener of Straight Talk Africa Programme, I have noticed lately the bias of the presenter of this programme Mr Shaka Ssali. On February 18, he hosted Prof Sulman and one Njoroge Mbathi. It was a nice programme, but all of a sudden in the middle of the programme, he smuggled in Uganda’s topics like the third term, the extravagance of the President’s family, the vision thing, etc.
Surely, these things were uncalled for. Of course it could be that because Shaka Ssali is a Ugandan, he cannot avoid Uganda’s politics, but Straight Talk Africa is an international programme. So when Shaka Ssali starts throwing barbs at President Museveni, he indirectly biases listeners towards Museveni, which is bad indeed.
I am not as supporter of the third term project. But I believe in impartiality, especially when it comes to topical issues. President Museveni or his confidants are not given a chance to defend themselves against these allegations. Therefore it is unfair to attack them when they cannot defend themselves. Perhaps Shaka Ssali can invite Uganda government officials and opposition members to his studio in case he wants to know both sides of the coin.
I repeat here what I said seven years ago, if the NRM, the UPDF, etc, are oppressors and torture Ugandans, this will not force the people to vote Museveni back in power. So I don’t see what the panic is all about. If indeed President Museveni is that oppressive, dictatorial, etc, let the people decide. Why stampede the population with threats of war in case he returns to power in 2006? This is cheap politics, pure and simple.
E.F. Kahuma
Fort Portal
Surely, these things were uncalled for. Of course it could be that because Shaka Ssali is a Ugandan, he cannot avoid Uganda’s politics, but Straight Talk Africa is an international programme. So when Shaka Ssali starts throwing barbs at President Museveni, he indirectly biases listeners towards Museveni, which is bad indeed.
I am not as supporter of the third term project. But I believe in impartiality, especially when it comes to topical issues. President Museveni or his confidants are not given a chance to defend themselves against these allegations. Therefore it is unfair to attack them when they cannot defend themselves. Perhaps Shaka Ssali can invite Uganda government officials and opposition members to his studio in case he wants to know both sides of the coin.
I repeat here what I said seven years ago, if the NRM, the UPDF, etc, are oppressors and torture Ugandans, this will not force the people to vote Museveni back in power. So I don’t see what the panic is all about. If indeed President Museveni is that oppressive, dictatorial, etc, let the people decide. Why stampede the population with threats of war in case he returns to power in 2006? This is cheap politics, pure and simple.
E.F. Kahuma
Fort Portal