In today’s fast-paced information age, mainstream media (MSM) wields its power like a guillotine; sharp, merciless, and often cutting away facts to uphold a particular narrative. When spin overtakes reality, societies fragment, trust dissipates, and people scramble to find the truth amid a torrent of distortions. This is not solely an American crisis; it is a global epidemic, affecting households everywhere, including Uganda.

One late night, while walking home from the office with a good friend, we discussed the emptiness of my routine: endless workdays that pushed my passion for music production aside, the last remaining creative spark in my life. Weekends were few and far between. He suggested going out at night, but my friends weren’t interested in clubs. Football was a different story, and so I signed up for pay TV just to watch the Champions league and Premier League, primarily tuning in on weekends. In addition to matches, I filled my time with news.

As I surfed through channels, I noticed a clear bias: left-leaning broadcasters dominated the airwaves. Having consumed media from across the globe, I observed that these leftist outlets excelled at misreporting and stripping context; it’s not harmless; it’s toxic. These networks prioritize shaping narratives over pursuing truth. The American MSM, exported worldwide, shapes opinions far beyond U.S. borders.

Modern media prioritizes messaging over factual reporting. Take, for instance, the relentless attacks on Trump: he could discover a cure for cancer, and they would portray it as merely a publicity stunt. Recently, Democrats blocked votes to reopen the government, extending a shutdown that adversely affected ordinary Americans. In fear of backlash from the far-left after initially supporting the reopening, establishment Democrats clung to their opposition to demonstrate their anti-Trump stance. Meanwhile, liberal media; today’s digital spokespersons shifted the blame onto Republicans, disseminating falsehoods globally. It is after making massive wins in the recently closed mayoral elections that the left decided to Open the government. They wanted to rage-bait a lot of Americans in to voting liberal while taunting that the lockdown was a Republican created problem which was very not true. In this case, the message overshadowed the truth.

The cycle continues abroad as well. A major British network aired edited clips that falsely depicted the U.S. President inciting a Capitol breach; an incident that ultimately led to the executive’s ousting once the truth came to light. The media is doing what it does best, accepting to apologize but nopt acknowledging bias in reporting after being exposed countless times of biased reporting. This said media house prioritizes messaging and not the truth. In Uganda, a formerly reputable media outlet has devolved into a government-critical echo chamber, having abandoned integrity. They twist narratives, neglect due diligence, spread misinformation, and fail to issue corrections. Loaded headlines and 5 minute read articles of hour-long interviews promote propaganda rather than provide accurate information. You can check the source video for yourself rather than accept the slant. This act has gotten them banned from reporting on the recent government elections. A country like Uganda should look at the consequences of narrative based reporting in the Western world and fight it at whatever cost. If integrity doesn’t sell your News, then you shouldn’t be reporting.

This erosion of trust has tainted news in Uganda, making MSM increasingly unreliable. The result? A significant shift towards social media. Elon Musk’s X platform has surged to become the world’s leading news hub. On November 11, 2025, data revealed that X had become the top news app in 157 countries, surpassing BBC News, CNN, and Google News in downloads and engagement across nations like the U.S., India, Brazil, Japan, and the U.K.

X’s advantage stems from its real-time capabilities: instant live coverage, video streams, and creator payouts have drawn advertisers and publishers back. The platform excels in breaking news, politics, and sports engagement. The decline of trust in MSM has pushed global audiences towards social platforms. However, social media is not without its flaws. Like traditional news outlets, it is overwhelmed with unverified information. Many users consume content passively, drawn in by sensationalism that inflates outrage over biased narratives. X’s ascent is not without its controversies. Critics highlight concerns over inadequate moderation, and a lack of transparency as it replaces traditional forms of news.

Will journalism be able to regain its commitment to integrity? prioritizing facts over spin? My bet: unlikely. The incentives currently reward clicks over accuracy. Change must commence somewhere, though. If MSM continues to spread instability through loaded propaganda, we must hold them accountable. No career should jeopardize the stability of a nation.

On September 18, 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called for peaceful dialogue and unity among Uganda’s political leaders as the nation gears up for the 2026 general elections. Speaking at the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Museveni emphasized the need to reject violence and divisive politics to ensure Uganda’s continued progress.

The summit, themed “Together for a Peaceful and Sustainable Uganda,” convened leaders from six political parties: the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The event marked a pivotal moment for fostering unity and consensus ahead of the elections.

In his keynote address, President Museveni, who also serves as NRM National Chairman and outgoing IPOD Summit Chair, urged opposition leaders to embrace peaceful engagement. “As we have seen in the last 40 years, the NRM has revived Uganda’s economy. Even if one has a wrong understanding, as long as they are not violent, the country will remain stable, and mistakes can be corrected,” he said. He warned that misdiagnosing societal issues and resorting to violence leads to chaos, citing examples from other African nations.

Drawing from his 65 years in politics, Museveni likened political leadership to medicine, stressing the importance of accurately diagnosing societal challenges. “If leaders misdiagnose societal issues, their countries collapse,” he cautioned, reiterating NRM’s core principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy as the foundation for Uganda’s future.

Addressing concerns raised by UPC President Jimmy Akena about the recent teachers’ strike, Museveni underscored the need to prioritize limited resources. He cited the example of Soroti Flying School, where prioritizing pilots and engineers over other staff prevented its collapse. “Freedom fighters always prioritize,” he noted.

A significant highlight of the summit was the peaceful handover of IPOD chairmanship from President Museveni to DP President General, Hon. Norbert Mao. “Thank you for trusting NRM with the leadership for the last five years. I now peacefully hand over,” Museveni said.

Hon. Mao, in his acceptance speech, committed to fostering consensus and ensuring a peaceful 2026 election. “We shall leave the door of IPOD open. Our agenda is to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election process while addressing Uganda’s challenges honestly,” he said. Mao commended Museveni for releasing nearly 70 political detainees earlier this year, describing the gesture as a significant step toward reconciliation.

NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, praised Museveni for sustaining IPOD after international donors withdrew funding. “You have shown that homegrown solutions can address African challenges,” Todwong said, urging political parties to promote unity and democratic values.

UPC President Jimmy Akena reaffirmed his party’s commitment to dialogue, stating, “We may not agree on every policy, but we must focus on the greater good.” FDC President Patrick Oboi Amuriat called for meaningful dialogue and urged Museveni to pardon political prisoners to foster national reconciliation. “Progress requires leaving the past behind,” he said.

JEEMA President Asuman Basalirwa echoed the need for consensus, while PPP President Saddam Gayira highlighted the success of non-confrontational politics. “In 30 years, none of our members have been arrested because we preach peaceful engagement,” Gayira noted.

IPOD Executive Director Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala warned of challenges such as electoral violence and youth vulnerability, urging leaders to nurture young people as champions of peace. “The 2026 elections provide a critical opportunity to strengthen consensus, fairness, and inclusivity,” he said.

The summit saw attendance from key figures, including Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, and NRM’s Central Executive Committee members, signaling strong support for dialogue as a tool for democratic progress.

As Uganda approaches the 2026 elections, the IPOD Summit underscored the importance of unity, peaceful engagement, and consensus-building to secure a stable and prosperous future for the nation. “History will judge us by the choices we make. Let us choose peace and put Uganda first,” Dr. Sserwambala concluded.

On September 17, 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni endorsed a comprehensive report on cattle compensation for the Teso sub-region, praising its recommendations as realistic, inclusive, and transformative. This announcement was made during a high-level meeting at State House in Entebbe, attended by a select committee led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, along with Members of Parliament, cultural leaders, and religious figures from Teso.

The report was presented by Hon. Okiror Bosco, the MP for Usuk County. It followed extensive consultations across Teso, prompted by concerns about corruption and inefficiencies in the ongoing cattle compensation program. Launched in March 2022 with a budget of UGX 200 billion, the initiative aims to compensate victims in Teso, Lango, and Acholi for livestock and property lost during past insurgencies and cattle raids.

The consultations confirmed President Museveni’s proposal for a uniform restocking plan that will provide five cows per household across Teso’s 12 districts, which are home to approximately 489,000 households according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census. Hon. Okiror noted an alternative proposal that allows households to receive the cash equivalent of five cows, estimated at UGX 1.5 million to UGX 2 million per cow, enabling them to purchase livestock independently, with management at the sub-county level.

President Museveni expressed his support for the plan, emphasizing its potential to empower households while addressing challenges such as polygamous families. “For me, I would be comfortable with each male-headed unit, whether polygamous or not, first getting their share,” he said. “Once the cows multiply, those families will become agents of change, and the cows can then be shared.” He added that affordability would be managed through installments, with extended families considered later.

The President clarified that the districts of Butebo and Pallisa, which had petitioned for inclusion, would be addressed separately.

During the meeting, Museveni responded to concerns about the presence of Balaalo herders in Teso. “They should go. I solved this problem long ago,” he stated, stressing that herders must follow legal procedures to ensure harmony with local communities.

Vice President Alupo commended the consultation process, noting its comprehensive and incident-free execution. “All the people of Teso unanimously supported the restocking program for every household,” she said, adding that residents viewed it as part of broader government efforts to eradicate poverty. Cultural leaders, including His Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot of the Iteso and Won Ateker Papa Kumam Raphael Otaya of the Kumam, praised Museveni for involving traditional institutions in national development and pledged continued collaboration.

The cattle compensation program is not a standard government initiative but a special measure to promote peace, reconciliation, and economic recovery in war-affected regions. Museveni’s endorsement of the report signals a commitment to addressing past grievances transparently and equitably. He noted that the previous compensation framework was inefficient and exclusionary, and the new plan aims to rectify these shortcomings.

The President also referenced his recent engagements in August 2025 across Teso, Lango, and Acholi, where he urged residents to select trustworthy representatives to finalize a new compensation framework. At a gathering in Lira’s Lango College grounds, he emphasized the need for reliable representation to resolve lingering issues. “I was recently in Soroti and heard the same concerns,” he remarked, addressing widespread dissatisfaction with middlemen and corruption in the current system.

Museveni announced that the report would be discussed in Cabinet, with further consultations planned to incorporate perspectives from Lango and Acholi. The meeting, attended by Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka and other Teso leaders, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the program’s benefits reach all intended households fairly.

As Uganda moves forward with this transformative initiative, the uniform restocking plan promises to empower households in Teso, foster economic recovery, and strengthen community reconciliation in the region.