By Aggrey Baba
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has accepted an apology from veteran journalist Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante, who last week retracted allegations linking the veteran politician to the planned killing of his political rival, the late Dr. James Garuga Musinguzi.
Kasibante, in a statement issued on 17th August, admitted that his publication was false and damaging. “I hereby fully withdraw the false statements made in the publication and affirm that I have no evidence to support them,” he said, while apologising to Mbabazi, Garuga’s family, and the people of Kanungu for what he described as irresponsible reporting.
The allegations had first appeared on MK Newslink, where Kasibante suggested that Mbabazi once ordered soldiers to kill Garuga during the 2001 Kinkizi West parliamentary race. The story was later deleted after Mbabazi strongly denied the claims, describing them as malicious and harmful to his record.
Responding to the retraction, Mbabazi said he had taken note of the apology and accepted it in good faith. “My commitment has always been to truth, justice, and the upholding of democratic values,” he wrote, adding that Garuga’s memory should be preserved with dignity and not dragged into falsehoods.
Garuga, who died this month and was buried in Kanungu, was Mbabazi’s rival in the heated 2001 elections, a race which was marred by violence, with court eventually nullifying Mbabazi’s victory. Garuga chose not to return for the by-election, citing the safety of his supporters.
Despite the bitter contest, Mbabazi has maintained that he never regarded Garuga as an enemy. He said their disagreements were purely political and did not extend to personal hostility.
Observers note that the apology and its acceptance not only ease political tension but also serve as a reminder about responsible journalism in Uganda’s fast-changing digital media space. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
