media 25 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Chris Obore's Misinformation on MP Nakimuli's Seat Highlights Journalism Verification Needs
Parliament spokesperson Chris Obore wrongly claimed that the late Kalangala Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli lost her re-election, underscoring the critical need for journalists to verify information even from authoritative sources. The incident, detailed by journalist Musaazi Namiti, serves as a lesson in rigorous fact-checking amid deceptive confidence. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/chris-obore-s-false-claim-and-what-it-teaches-journalists-5435918
Journalist Musaazi Namiti recently contacted Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Chris Obore, to inquire about the late Hellen Nakimuli, the Kalangala District Woman MP who passed away on April 19. Obore confidently asserted that Nakimuli had lost her seat and dismissed the query as irrelevant, implying the public was aware she was not re-elected.
Despite Obore’s authoritative tone, Namiti decided to verify the claim. Online news stories consistently reported Nakimuli’s re-election victory, but to be thorough, Namiti consulted NTV correspondent Gertrude Mutyaba, who confirmed the MP had indeed won her seat.
This episode illustrates how even spokespersons from key institutions can provide inaccurate information. Namiti draws parallels with other cases, such as Encyclopedia Britannica’s false claim that Rwandan President Paul Kagame graduated from Makerere University, and a BBC graphic erroneously listing Paulo Muwanga as a Ugandan president.
These examples emphasize that memory and confident statements can mislead. Journalists and public informants must prioritize ruthless verification, aided by tools like searchable MP datasets, over assumptions or unverified sources.
The piece is written by Musaazi Namiti, a journalist and former Al Jazeera digital editor.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)