By Otim Nape
Through managers Arafat Shaffick and Arnold Segawa, the top management of NTV Uganda on Tuesday wrote to all the five Presidential Candidates who participated in the Sunday Debate that got millions of Ugandans glued on their screens.
In the written message, the NTV management thanks them for responding positively and for the time they dedicated to personally participate, unlike the other three candidates who opted out and stayed away.
In the same message, the country’s leading TV station declares readiness to organize and host a second Presidential Debate in the month of January, which will be days to voting day.
It’s made clear in the written message that, unlike in the preceding debate, deliberate efforts will be made to involve the candidates in the choice of the topics to be tackled and generally the manner in which the debate ought to be conducted. The exact date will be decided and communicated to all the candidates in the course of time.
Millions of animated Ugandans watched the debate both through online media platforms and live TV in the comfort of their sitting rooms, offices and other working spaces.
For unknown reasons, Gen Museveni, Mubarak Munyagwa and Candidate Kasibante stayed away, leaving the five (Gen Mugisha Muntu, Bobi Wine, Frank Buliira Kabinga, Nandala Mafabi, Robert Kyagulanyi and J.E. Mabirizi) to have all the time to themselves.
As all this happens, there are no indicators that Gen Museveni regrets staying away as opposed to turning up to attend the subsequent NTV Presidential Debate. On Sunday as the five enjoyed prime time, Museveni (who Bobi Wine says has nothing to do with the future Ugandans ought to discuss at such forums) was home at Rwakitura where he had his own equally televised discussion with a group of youths calling themselves “Uganda’s Unstoppable GenZ.”
These are chiefly youthful NRM supporters determined to use the new media spaces to publicize the achievements the country has collectively registered in the last 40 years under Museveni’s leadership.
The content coming from engagements like the one at Rwakitura was and can ably be televised and relayed to millions of Ugandans because, even without relying on NTV whose management he thinks hates him, Gen Museveni has UBC TV, Star TV and even Vision Group which comprises of big media outlets like Bukedde TV, radio stations and two of the country’s biggest and most influential newspapers namely New Vision and Bukedde.
VERBATTIM:
Below is the uniform written message the Serena-based NTV sent out to each of the five Presidential Candidates who took part in the debate and thereby reap the benefits that come with landing a speaking engagement in the middle of prime time of television:
Dear Sir,
On behalf of NTV Uganda and the Nation Media Group, I extend our sincere appreciation to you for honoring our invitation and participating in the NTV Uganda Presidential Debate held on Sunday, 30th November 2025, at the Serena Conference Centre.
Your presence and engagement contributed significantly to the success of the debate. As Uganda approaches the 2026 General Elections, your willingness to present your vision, policies, and positions on key national issues helped advance the spirit of constructive, democratic dialogue.
Your participation enriched discussions on accountability, leadership, the economy, governance, social services, and national security, and provided Ugandans with valuable insights to inform their choices.
We also appreciate the professionalism displayed by you and your team throughout the event. Your commitment to open, issue-driven conversation reinforces the importance of national platforms that bring citizens and leaders together in the pursuit of “The Uganda We Want.”
As a continuation of this national dialogue, we are planning to host another presidential debate in January, in which candidates will take the lead in choosing the themes and shaping the structure of the discussion. We hope you will consider taking part in this important next stage of engagement.
Thank you once again for your contribution to this vital national exercise. We look forward to continued collaboration with you.
Warm regards, Arafat Shaffick, Arnold Segawa. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
