Monitor’s Githinji Axed Over Besigye Coverage

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 15 NOVEMBER 2011

Gitahi Githinji

Giatahi Githinji was last week reportedly shown the exit and highly placed sources in State House say it were orders from above after media mogul Aga Khan was arm-twisted into swinging the axe at the Namuwongo based newspaper.

The newspaper confirmed the development in their Saturday edition by publishing that  “The Monitor Publications Limited has changed the face of its top management, with Dr Simon Kagugube as new board chairman and Alex Asiimwe as the new managing director,” Monitor reports. “Dr Kagugube replaces Dr Martin Aliker, who has been chairman for more than 10 years, while Mr. Asiimwe takes over from Dr Gitahi Githinji, who asked to retire.”

Sources now intimate that “Museveni reportedly complained to Aga Khan during the presidential campaign season in January that Monitor was offering overwhelming media coverage to opposition leader Col. Kizza Besigye.

The President also complained that the paper was shunning NRM campaigns. “They enlarge photographs of Besigye’s campaigns on the front page,” the big man reportedly complained.