Gulu, Uganda | URN | President Yoweri Museveni’s younger brother and close confidant Gen. Salim Saleh on Saturday 9, January 2021 walked away from youths claiming to be journalists under an umbrella body ‘Entertainment News Reporters Association.”
The 28 youths comprising both of male and female, reportedly travelled from Kampala City on Friday 8th evening to meet Gen Saleh to demand payment for online content that they had purportedly published in favour and support of President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement [NRM] party ahead of the 2021 general elections.
The journalists camped at Lumumba Square in the 4th Division army barracks in Gulu City as they waited to secure audience with Saleh who was holding a live relayed debate on the Capital FM’s Capital Gang show.
Shortly after the show, Gen Saleh headed to meet the youth who claimed that they were reporting on economic prosperity brought by the NRM government, local economic development led policies and the achievements of the Operation Wealth Creation [OWC] using their own finances.
Through their spokesman, Ronald Tweheyo who did not disclose how much they need, the youths demanded to be compensated for the expenses they have incurred to spread the good gospel and progress of the NRM party in Uganda.
The youths had verbal exchanges with Saleh and demanded for their fares, accommodation, feeding and payment for content produced several months ago.
In his response, Gen Saleh said that the youths have been fully constituted from the music entertainment industry into active politics and so required to dedicate themselves fully to the NRM party.
However, Gen Saleh demanded that the purported journalists submit an invoice and previously done works before they could be paid the money they wanted, citing that their visit was unplanned for.
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Gen Saleh told the youths to sort out their issues with his IT manager only identified as Deo before he left in his official motorcade to an unknown destination, leaving the youths stranded at the 4th Division barracks as Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso the army spokesperson pleaded with them to give Saleh more time to sort them out.
The youths were later seen haggling with Maj Kiconco Tabaro, the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) spokesperson.
