He said a private apology is insufficient to repair the damage caused by a video that circulated widely on social media.
Tayebwa told Parliament on Wednesday, October 21, that John Paul Sebadduka, a journalist accredited to Parliament and working with CBS FM, had edited footage of his remarks on a proposed Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and published the altered version on his personal online platform, SPJ Exclusive Media.
The original remarks were made during Tuesday’s plenary sitting. According to Tayebwa, the edited video clip created an impression that he was belittling nurses and suggesting that they could not rise to leadership positions.
The video clip that has been widely circulated has triggered criticism and abusive reactions online. Tayebwa rejected that interpretation, saying his remarks recognised nursing as a profession whose practitioners include highly qualified academics and people occupying senior leadership positions.
“I will own up to whatever I say, but when you twist it, you should also own up,” Tayebwa told Parliament.
He said the controversy began after he received numerous phone calls and messages from people accusing him of disrespecting nurses. He subsequently investigated the source of the video and established what he described as a distortion of his remarks.
Tayebwa said he contacted Sewaduka, who apologised privately. However, he insisted that the response should match the reach and impact of the original publication.
“I told him to make a public apology because you cannot tarnish my name in public and apologise to me in private,” he said.
Tayebwa disclosed that he had referred the matter to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for consideration. Uganda’s Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105, provides a Code of Ethics that requires journalists and editors to take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.
The UCC regulates communications services, including broadcasting and telecommunications. The precise jurisdiction applicable to this dispute will depend on the nature of the content, the platform and the conduct under consideration.
Tayebwa also asked Parliament’s Corporate Affairs Department to handle the incident in accordance with its established guidelines on accurate reporting of parliamentary proceedings.
The dispute highlights the growing risks associated with editing and circulating short video clips from political speeches, particularly when omitting surrounding remarks can change the apparent meaning of what a speaker said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
