On Monday September 30, 2019 we received a call from Mr Ssemanda Allawi, over a story entitled; “OP-ED: Bobi Wine used as dummy in US-China tech Supremacy”we published on August 20 2019.
We would like to categorically apologise for issuing the above named article with a headline misrepresenting the original articles authored by Mr Ssemanda.
The original articles were published on 18th August 2019 and 19th August 2019 by CGTV and New Vision respectively.
The article was reacting to a story published by Wall Street Journal claiming that Uganda Government was being aided by Huawei to spy on politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
The opinion caught our attention and we re-ran it on our platform. Until Mr Ssemanda reached out to us explaining that our headline had misrepresented his opinion and that he had contractual obligations with another agency not to share his work elsewhere.
We would like to state this clearly, Mr Ssemanda does not write for our media company as a freelancer or as a contracted person.
We apologise to Mr Ssemanda and other parties who were offended by the re-published article.
Below is his letter to Watchdog Uganda:
Attn:
Editorial Board WatchDog Uganda,
Yusuf Lule Road,
Kampala Uganda.
30th September 2019.
Greetings, sir.
Reference is made to the article published on your website on 20th August 2019 entitled; “OP-ED: Bobi Wine used as dummy in US-China tech Supremacy”.
Concern:
1.The title of your published article misrepresents my original articles published with my full knowledge on 18th August 2019 and 19th August 2019 by CGTV and New Vision respectively. The diction used in your title with an article attributed to me is UNDIPOLMATIC and raises serious allegations which may consequently offends in different ways offends parties mentioned in the article you published.
2.I have a running contract with CGTV as a columnist, hence this explains why they published my opinion. This is the same case with new Vision – I submitted it to them myself with a tittle I think calls for academic engagement and debate.
3.I did not submit this opinion to you despite attribution made.
Conclusion:
1.Put down the article from your website.
2.Also write a rejoinder making it clear that you misrepresented my intended message and that I do not write for your media company as a freelancer or contracted person. Also apologise to whoever could have been offended by message your published article carried especially in title.
Conclusion:
1.If you positively respond before tomorrow Tuesday 1st October 2019 at 12:00noon (Uganda Time), that will mean the matter is fully resolved.
2.Should that fail, I will engage my lawyers to take it up for redress.
Hoping to hear from you, soon.
Truly yours,
Ssemanda Allawi.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
