Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa says a misleading edit of his remarks about nurses triggered online criticism and abuse, prompting him to refer the matter to the Uganda Communications Commission.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has demanded a public apology from a journalist who edited and shared a misleading version of his remarks about nurses, saying a private apology was insufficient to repair the damage caused.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Tayebwa identified the journalist as John Paul Ssebaduka, a parliamentary-accredited journalist working with CBS FM, who allegedly edited a video of his remarks on the proposed Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Tayebwa said Sewaduka shared the edited video on his personal online platform, SPJ Exclusive Media, creating the impression that the Deputy Speaker was demeaning nurses and suggesting they could not become leaders.
The video reportedly attracted widespread criticism and abuse on social media. Tayebwa said his original remarks recognised nurses as professionals, some of whom hold PhDs and occupy senior leadership positions.
He said he received numerous phone calls and messages after the video circulated, with people accusing him of disrespecting nurses. He subsequently investigated the source of the video and established how his remarks had allegedly been distorted.
Tayebwa said he spoke to the journalist, who apologised, but argued that the apology needed to be made publicly because the video had already reached a wide audience.
“I told him to make a public apology because you cannot tarnish my name in public and apologise to me in private,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker disclosed that he had referred the matter to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for consideration. He also asked Parliament’s Corporate Affairs Department to handle the issue in accordance with established guidelines governing accurate reporting of parliamentary proceedings.
“I will own up to whatever I say, but when you twist it, you should also own up,” Tayebwa said.
He warned that the incident should concern all legislators because public officials could become victims of misleading edits of video or audio recordings.
Tayebwa said Parliament was working to create a media-friendly environment, recognising journalists’ role in informing the public about legislative proceedings and the institution’s activities.
“The media is very critical for the performance of this Parliament, but they are not above scrutiny where they do wrong things,” he said.