The public has been asked to treat with contempt information claiming that the security detail of the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, has been withdrawn.
The fake news is being spread by a one Kakwenza Rukirabashaija who in a tweet alleged that: “@AnitahAmong’s bodyguards have just been withdrawn. This means that as the 3rd in ‘power’ hierarchy, she’s vulnerable security-wise and gonna be arrested like a chicken thief and be charged with stealing iron sheets for Karamoja.”
Now, Joseph Sabiti, the Principal Press Secretary to the Speaker of Parliament says the allegations are both misleading and unfortunate since there has never been withdrawal of any security personnel from the Speaker as alleged.
This news website understands that every is running normally and the speaker is very safe and enjoying her Eid leave with family in her village home in Bukedea district.
Uganda is not new to fake news especially on social media. This week, some people misinformed the public that the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, had resigned in regard to receiving iron sheets meant for Karamoja.
Also, it has been common for high profile Ugandans to be declared dead on social media when they are alive. For instance, Kabaka of Buganda Ronalda Muwenda Mutebi, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and former Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Badru Kiggundu were in 2021 declared dead.
In the same year in April, several social media platforms reported that President Yoweri Museveni had died while others have indicated that he had been admitted in a critical condition in a neighboring country after reportedly acquiring COVID-19.
However, speaking at the swearing-in of ministers at the Kololo independence grounds in 2021, Museveni said it is wrong to announce someone who is alive dead.
“Social media apparently has been saying that Museveni is dead. The other day when I went to that side of Bombo to lay a foundation people were looking at me (with shock) because they had been told by social media that Museveni is dead or something like that,” Museveni said.
“The security service needs to also solve that problem. I need to check with them so that we locate quickly those who tell such a story because you waste people’s time. We should go for you. We should locate where you are and go for you. If you’re in Europe, we denounce you and say go to hell,” he added.