Bulange-based Central Broadcasting Service (CBS FM), the official radio arm of the Buganda Kingdom, has reportedly approved a plan to air a two-hour weekly programme dedicated to publicizing President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election bid ahead of the January 15, 2026 polls.
Sources indicate that station managers concluded there was “nothing wrong” with hosting State House officials during prime time, noting that the programme falls under political communication typically allowed during campaign seasons.
Under the new arrangement, every Tuesday from 7–9pm—one of CBS’s most listened-to slots—will now be reserved for showcasing the achievements of President Museveni and explaining why he “deserves another term.” Senior Presidential Advisor Moses Byaruhanga, who is coordinating the President’s campaign, has been assigned to lead the discussions.
NUP Supporters Say the Decision Confirms Their Long-Held Complaints
The development has revived long-standing criticism from National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, who have for years accused the Buganda Kingdom of not openly supporting a party they believe draws most of its strength from the Baganda region.
NUP leaders and supporters argue that despite the party’s popularity in central Uganda, Mengo-owned media—especially CBS—has maintained a cautious distance.
Party president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has previously claimed that he was blocked from appearing on CBS programmes, despite being “a son of the soil” from Buganda.
The latest decision, critics say, reinforces their belief that the station gives more room to the ruling party than to opposition voices.
But Some Ugandans Praise Mengo for the Move
Despite the backlash from sections of the opposition, a number of netizens have welcomed CBS’s decision, saying the station serves a national audience and is free to host any political actor.
Others argue that media houses should remain open to all sides during elections, and that CBS is simply offering space in the spirit of political pluralism.
Some commentators also note that Buganda Kingdom institutions have historically tried to remain neutral to avoid being dragged into partisan battles.
What’s Next?
With campaign season heating up, CBS FM’s Tuesday prime-time slot is expected to attract high public interest. The debate around media neutrality, Buganda’s political role, and party expectations is also likely to intensify as the country heads closer to the 2026 elections.
