Ugandas top 7 PR scandals that rocked May 2015

1. Strakas rent saga

TV presenter Straka Mwezi was in the news for the wrong reason after allegedly avoiding
paying rent. This was a big story on Agataliko Nfunfu news of Bukedde TV.She attempted to
shift without the notice of her landlord early in the morning. Her only response was a
statement playing the victim. She diverted attention by alleging sexual harassment from the
landlord. She used the media attention at the time to launch her singing career. She released a
song landlord but it did not receive that much attention. There are lots of unanswered
questions. If she was sexually harassed, why didnt she report to the police? Two wrongs do
not make it right. The alleged sexual harassment incident did not justify her refusal to pay her
rent and trying to escape from her house. Her landlord confiscated her car .She should be
praised for embracing the culture of press statements though it was too late. All the facts were
already released.
2. Leaked nude pictures of Fabiola Anita
Social media, newspapers and websites have been taken by storm with discussions related to
alleged leaked nude pictures of former Popular TV personality Anita Kyalimpa Fabiola.
Fabiolas crisis is not likely to stay for long. They are not as many controversial pictures as
those of Desire Luzinda. In one of the nude pictures, Musician Desire Luzinda posed with an
inverted victory sign which just prolonged the crisis. People especially celebrities posed the
same way and re-posted hilariously. Anita Fabiola rushed to issue a statement online which
was wrong. Her resignation was uncalled for.
NTV and Fabiola could use the moment to grow the numbers of NTV Be my date show
viewers. Truth is that it is not Ugandas most watched show. There are serious benefits if you
turn crises into publicity stunts for new projects. Launching her music career and lingerie
club nights would be a good idea to divert media attention. The problem with online
communication is that you can never take away content from search engines with this tech
savvy generation today. This crisis offers an ocean of opportunities that Fabiola could quickly
use to go places.There is little you can do about stopping the dissemination of leaked sextapes
and nude pictures. The main discussion about the crisis has been whether Fabiola Anita wears
artificial bums or not. Music platforms will give Fabiola an opportunity to prove that she does
not wear fake bums.Photo opportunity tactic would be another fix. Fabiola needs to Stage
manage many photo shoots that show a little more flesh., Fabiola exit may lead to a boycott
of NTV .Some people have started a petition and a hashtag #bringbackFabiola.

3. Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga selfie with musician Desire Luzinda.

Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga selfie with musician Desire Luzinda has mades rounds on
social media. The picture went viral after a local tabloid developed theories about the
incident. The pictures were among the many that the katikiro took with some Ugandans in a
saloon abroad. The PR team has tried to share more pictures of the Katikiro with other
people. This is not really a crisis for Mayiga to concentrate on. It is better he ignores it like
the #oyochallenge. There was one viral image of the Buganda Katikiro Charles peter Mayiga
greeting King while the young king cross-legged and looked away. On second thought, a
picture speaks a thousand words and as such there must be some level of approval before they
are released. Though the picture does not suggest any hidden motives but someones past may
come to life with you by associating with them. Some celebrities today actually have private
photographers who edit and share approved public pictures. Desire has a bad past but a strong
team can use it to explain the Buganda a pillar of Unity. Katikiro is for all people. It was good
PR for the ettoffali team. It has generated great public engagement. His security team may
learn a few lessons about protocol.
4. Ugandan primary teachers started a sit down strike
Ugandan primary teachers started a sit down strike in May. Teachers have since suspended
their strike after an agreement with government .Lots of lessons to pick for those that want to
venture into advocacy PR. They did articulate their demands and did not revise them till they
got a deal with government. They insisted that their suspension of the industrial action was on
condition that government does not breach implementation of the terms set by Uganda
National Teachers Union (UNATU).They should be commended for their ability to have
media coverage throughout the striking time.
5. 300 Makerere students protest unrecognised courses
A local daily reported that About 300 Makerere University students had petitioned the Vice
Chancellor Prof John Ddumba to investigate a scheme in which they were admitted on
various courses which are not recognised by the university. The students from the College of
Education and External Studies alleged that they were admitted for diploma courses but have
been denied access to vital facilities. They demanded to know their legal status on Campus.
6.

Shoprite Naalya closure crisis

There were reports in the media about shoprite Naalya being closed. Obviously this is a crisis
as it creates panic among its customers and staff. Nakawa High Court has since ordered
Shoprite Naalya to re-open following an interim order issued by the acting Registrar, Flavia
Nassuna Matovu.Nassuna ordered the shopping mall to remain open until June 18, pending
the hearing and final determination of the suit.

7. Jomayi misunderstanding with Brig Henry Tumukunde over land

Jomayi has revolutionised the housing sector and land usage in Uganda but a conflict has an
effect on trust with its current and would be clients. The commercial Court issued an interim
order restraining former ISO boss Brig Henry Tumukunde from evicting Jomayi Property
Consultants from the a disputed land off Mityana Road. The courts deputy registrar,
Thaddeus Opesen, made the order, saying there were issues that required interpretation. The
misunderstanding arises from their payment agreement. It was alleged that Brig Tumukunde
was in the process of getting new buyers.

Ivan N. Baliboola
PR & organizational diagnosis specialist
nbaliboola@gmail.com
Disclaimer
This article strictly offers academic insight meant to create awareness about
crisis PR management. Therefore it should be used for educational purposes and
not viewed as an attack on institutions or individuals. It offers a professional PR
insight into Crisis management in Uganda which is still a young profession. I
hope that Lessons shared can better the PR fraternity in Uganda. The writer
assumes no responsibility for contrary interpretation of the subject matter
herein.