Baseless! PM Robinah Nabbanja Speaks Out on Alleged Arrest Order Against Galaxy TV Journalist Mwesigye

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has strongly dismissed media reports claiming she ordered the arrest of Galaxy TV journalist David Mwesigye.

In a statement issued by Francis Jjingo, the communications officer in the Prime Minister’s office, the circulating reports were described as baseless and misleading, urging the public to disregard them.

According to Jjingo, Nabbanja never instructed police to arrest the journalist but instead asked him to apologize for presenting what she called false information to President Museveni and the country.

The controversy stems from Mwesigye’s remarks during President Museveni’s nomination at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Lweza, Makindye Ssabagabo. The journalist highlighted challenges at Mukono Referral Hospital, Namuganga Health Centre III, and Kayunga General Hospital, citing equipment shortages, staff gaps, and patients struggling under poor conditions. He further alleged that mothers were giving birth on the floor and that the oxygen plant in Kayunga was not functioning.

These claims prompted the President to direct Prime Minister Nabbanja to visit the hospitals for verification.

Following her tour, Nabbanja admitted that Mukono Referral Hospital indeed faced serious challenges. However, she insisted that Mwesigye’s claims about Kayunga Hospital were false since the facility was fully operational.

“I agree with journalist Mwesigye regarding Mukono Referral Hospital, but on Kayunga Hospital, he should apologize to the President for misleading him,” Nabbanja said.

She also dismissed reports of an arrest order:
“It is baseless to claim that I ordered for his arrest. I only directed him to record a statement with police regarding his false allegations. Journalists play a vital role in informing, educating, and entertaining the public, but some are at times used by politicians—especially from the opposition—to spread misinformation,” Nabbanja explained.