BFM Radio in Bushenyi has stopped longtime presenter Caroline Namara from hosting her family affairs program after she declared her bid for the District Woman MP seat a position currently held by her employer, Annet Katusiime Mugisha.
Namara, who has worked at the station for 16 years, said she was dismissed over the phone before she could officially resign as required under the station’s policy.
“According to the policy, I should have resigned to participate in politics, but I was not allowed to resign. Instead, I was fired through a phone call,” she said.
She described the decision as unfair and disrespectful, accusing management of undermining her rights and blocking her from even buying airtime to share her manifesto.
“As an independent candidate in the upcoming elections, I believe this action is a blatant infringement on my media rights and an attempt to silence my voice,” Namara added.
However, BFM’s Managing Director, Jonas Tumwiine, denied firing Namara. He said she was not a full-time employee but a contributor paid an allowance.
“We never fired Carol. We simply stopped her since she wasn’t our staff but a contributor,” Tumwiine said.
He argued that unlike other staff who previously joined politics after formally seeking leave, Namara failed to resign in time.
The standoff has stirred debate in Bushenyi over media impartiality ahead of the 2026 elections. Other BFM journalists, including Prosper Twebaze and Nathan Keijana, have in the past transitioned into politics after being granted leave.
Namara is now set to face off with her former boss Katusiime, the incumbent, and Vianah Kemigisha, who is also contesting as an independent after losing in the NRM primaries.
