Senior Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) reporter Joseph Balikudembe has protested his dismissal from the station, accusing his supervisors of removing him without giving him a fair hearing.
Balikudembe confirmed the development, saying the trouble started after Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago wrote a letter to his immediate supervisor and news editor, Esther Wamala. In the letter, Lukwago reportedly accused the journalist of biased reporting whenever covering his activities.
According to sources at CBS, Wamala later phoned Balikudembe and informed him that he had been relieved of his duties as a result of the Lord Mayor’s complaint. Balikudembe says he was shocked by the decision and insists he was never called to explain his side of the story.
He likened his situation to that of renowned sports journalist Yusuf Baliruno, who was recently pushed out after a similar action by programs manager Abbey Mukiibi.
Balikudembe has since written a formal protest letter to station management, demanding that he be heard and that the process leading to his dismissal be reviewed. It remains unclear whether CBS will revisit the decision.
