Summary:
Bishop Akanjuna had previously lodged a complaint with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), accusing Asiimwe of repeatedly spreading abusive misinformation and disinformation on air.
KAMPALA: The Kabale-based radio presenter Asiimwe Rodgers, commonly known as Obwengula International, has reportedly reconciled with the Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna.
Bishop Akanjuna had previously lodged a complaint with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), accusing Asiimwe of repeatedly spreading abusive misinformation and disinformation on air.
According to Asiimwe, the dispute was resolved during a tense meeting held at the UCC headquarters in Bugolobi, Kampala, on Tuesday.
Bishop Akanjuna had filed the complaint against Asiimwe, accusing him of continuously attacking him on air. This complaint prompted the UCC to summon the management of K-town Radio, along with Asiimwe and Bishop Akanjuna, for a meeting aimed at resolving the issue.
The meeting, which was heated at times, included UCC’s legal team, K-town Radio’s manager, station editor, producer, Asiimwe, and Ven. Oscar Mwesigwa, the Archdeacon of St. James Bubare Church of Uganda Archdeaconry in Rubanda District, who represented Bishop Akanjuna.
During the meeting, recordings from Asiimwe’s radio program were played for analysis, and he was asked to defend his comments, particularly those that had caused offense to Bishop Akanjuna and other church leaders, including Venerable Mwesigwa.
While Asiimwe defended his on-air statements, he refused to reveal his sources of information.
After an extended discussion that included both accusations and defenses, K-town Radio’s management agreed to issue a formal apology to Bishop Akanjuna.
Venerable Mwesigwa, speaking on behalf of the Bishop, clarified that their only request was for a formal apology from K-town Radio’s management and a commitment to address Asiimwe’s provocative behavior toward the Church.
The station manager confirmed that Asiimwe was facing a suspension from on-air programming and would apologize once he returned to the airwaves. The manager also assured that steps would be taken to prevent Asiimwe from attacking the Bishop personally in the future.
When reached for comment, Venerable Mwesigwa confirmed his role as the Bishop’s representative but declined to provide further details, stating that he needed to first brief the Bishop.
Asiimwe confirmed the reconciliation, stating, “I’m now going to serve my suspension as agreed and will return to work later. But I and the Bishop have no issues anymore.”
