Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has demanded a public apology from a journalist accused of editing and sharing a misleading video of his remarks about nurses, saying a private apology is not enough to repair the damage caused.
Tayebwa made the demand while addressing Parliament on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an incident involving John Paul Sewaduka, a parliamentary-accredited journalist working with CBS FM.
According to the Deputy Speaker, Sewaduka edited a video of his remarks on the proposed Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and shared the altered version on his personal online platform, SPJ Exclusive Media.
Tayebwa said the edited clip misrepresented his remarks, creating the impression that he was belittling nurses and suggesting they were unfit to become leaders. The video subsequently attracted widespread criticism and abusive comments against him on social media.
He clarified that his original remarks recognised nurses as qualified professionals, some of whom hold PhDs and occupy senior leadership positions.
Tayebwa said he began receiving numerous phone calls and messages from members of the public accusing him of disrespecting nurses after the video circulated online. He subsequently investigated the source of the clip and established how his remarks had allegedly been distorted.
The Deputy Speaker said he contacted Sewaduka, who apologised, but insisted that the apology should also be made publicly to reach the same audience exposed to the misleading video.
“I told him to make a public apology because you cannot tarnish my name in public and apologise to me in private,” Tayebwa said.
He disclosed that he had referred the matter to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for consideration. He also asked Parliament’s Corporate Affairs Department to handle the issue in accordance with established guidelines governing accurate reporting of parliamentary proceedings.
“I will own up to whatever I say, but when you twist it, you should also own up,” he said.
Tayebwa warned that the incident should concern all legislators and public officials, noting that misleadingly edited video or audio recordings can distort public statements and damage reputations.
Media freedom comes with responsibility
Despite the dispute, Tayebwa reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to maintaining a good working relationship with journalists, acknowledging their important role in informing the public about legislative proceedings and the institution’s activities.
He said Parliament was working to create a media-friendly environment that enables journalists to carry out their duties effectively, while emphasising that media practitioners must also be held accountable when they engage in wrongdoing.
“The media is very critical for the performance of this Parliament, but they are not above scrutiny where they do wrong things,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker’s remarks highlight the importance of accuracy, context and professional responsibility in political reporting, particularly as short video clips shared on social media can quickly shape public opinion before the full context of a statement is established.
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