A long-serving radio host in western Uganda has been taken off air after announcing plans to challenge her employer for a parliamentary seat.
Caroline Namara, who has worked with BFM Radio in Bushenyi for 16 years, said management barred her from hosting her popular family affairs programme shortly after she revealed her bid to contest for the district woman MP seat in 2026. The position is currently held by her boss, Annet Katusiime Mugisha.
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Namara told local media she was dismissed by phone before she could formally resign, as required under the station’s policy.
“According to the rules, I was supposed to resign in order to run for office. But instead of being given that chance, I was removed over a phone call,” she said. She described the decision as unfair, claiming she had also been denied the opportunity to purchase airtime to present her manifesto.
“As an independent candidate, I see this as an attack on my media freedoms and an attempt to silence me,” she added.
BFM management has rejected her claims. Managing director Jonas Tumwiine insisted Namara was never a permanent employee but a contributor who received allowances.
“We didn’t fire her. She wasn’t on staff. We only stopped her from presenting since she hadn’t resigned like others who previously joined politics,” Mr Tumwiine explained.
The decision has sparked debate in Bushenyi about fairness and impartiality in local media ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Other BFM presenters, including Prosper Twebaze and Nathan Keijana, have previously entered politics after formally seeking leave from the station.
Namara is expected to contest the seat as an independent, running against incumbent MP Katusiime and Vianah Kemigisha, another independent candidate who lost to Ms Katusiime in the ruling NRM primaries.
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