Adam Kungu
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Next Media Services has suspended Sanyuka Television talk show host Adam Kungu for two episodes, citing serious legal and regulatory breaches arising from the February 2, 2026 broadcast of The Barometer, one of the station’s flagship political programmes.
In a formal letter dated February 4, 2026, the broadcaster issued an “Immediate Suspension And Notice Of Investigation: Violation Of Editorial Policy & Broadcasting Standards,” detailing the legal basis for the disciplinary action. Management said a preliminary internal review established that the episode was in “serious breach of the Next Media Editorial Guidelines and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Minimum Broadcasting Standards,” which legally govern content aired by licensed broadcasters in Uganda.
According to the station, the programme, which hosted politicians and political analysts, descended into “an unacceptable exchange of personal attacks, insults, and unsubstantiated allegations.” The letter cites references to age in a derogatory manner, allegations of mental illness, questioning of academic credentials, claims of forged documents, and deeply personal remarks concerning health and marital status. Such content, management said, contravenes legal obligations relating to decency, accuracy, and public interest.
Under UCC regulations, broadcasters are required to ensure content upholds public morality, avoids defamatory statements, and protects individuals from unjust reputational harm. The station noted that allowing unverified and potentially damaging allegations to be aired without challenge exposes both the host and the broadcaster to possible legal liability, including defamation claims and regulatory sanctions.
The letter further states that the broadcast violated three core legal and ethical principles: responsibility and ethical standards, accuracy, and public interest. Management argued that the host failed to maintain decorum and civility, allowed unsubstantiated claims to go unchecked, and permitted the programme to degenerate into personal feuds rather than informed political debate, undermining its public service mandate.
Sanyuka emphasised that as the host of The Barometer, which commands an estimated audience of more than 13 million viewers across television and digital platforms, Kungu bears primary legal responsibility for the direction, tone, and control of the live broadcast. The producer and production team were also cited as accountable under the station’s editorial governance framework.
“The show’s descent into chaos demonstrates a profound failure by the on-air and production team to take charge and control of the guests and the show, as mandated by your role and our standards,” the letter reads.
Pending a full investigation, Kungu has been suspended from hosting the programme for the next two scheduled episodes. The broadcaster has also instituted a formal inquiry requiring Kungu, the producer, and the entire production team involved in that episode to submit written statements and appear before internal hearings.
The probe will examine the lack of timely intervention to steer discussions back to professional discourse, failures in enforcing editorial controls before and during the broadcast, and any systemic weaknesses that may have contributed to the lapse.
Next Media said the action is intended to safeguard the integrity of its brand and ensure compliance with national broadcasting laws and internal editorial policies. The outcome of the investigation is expected to guide further disciplinary or corrective measures.
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