King of Buganda Mwenda Mutebi
The Deputy secretary General of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Augustine Ruzindana has indicated that the closure of CBS radio and other Buganda radio stations during the September 2009 Buganda riots as a result of their criticisms to the government and Uganda president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
The government closed CBS FM, Suubi FM, Radio Sapienta and Akaboozi in 2009, accusing them of promoting ethnic hatred leading to the September 2009 Buganda riots.
The riots were caused by the banning of the Buganda King – Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi by the government from visiting his own county of Bugerere in Kayunga district. The riot claimed the lives of 27 people.
Suubi FM, Radio Sapienta and Akaboozi have since then been opened for publicly apologizing to the Uganda Government and sacking some of its employees accused of uttering seditious statements. CBS remains closed following its continued defiance to heed to Uganda government conditions to allow it be opened.
Ruzindana in a statement to Uganda journalists says the victory of Betty Bakireeke Namboze for the Mukono North MP by-elections has now put the government to test regarding the opening of the Buganda Kingdom radio.
The FDC official says the continued closure of the radio will reduce the votes of the ruling government in Buganda region as the 2011 Uganda presidential elections nears.
Ruzindana says Namboze’s win has further proved the popularity of the Buganda government since he was supported by Buganda Kingdom. Nambooze heads the Civic Education Committee of Buganda Kingdom and has been instrumental in opposing the Land Amendment Bill.