Simon Kaggwa Njala is a Ugandan journalist and media personality.
Simon Kaggwa Njala | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 4, 1972 Kampala, Uganda |
| Occupation | Journalist |
Early Life
editSimon Kaggwa Njala was born on January 4, 1972, in Kampala, Uganda.[1]
Morning Breeze Interview
editDuring a December 18, 2012 episode of the TV show Morning Breeze on NBS Television, Njala interviewed Ugandan LGBTQ rights activist Pepe Julian Onziema about LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda. After introducing Onziema, Njala immediately asked, “Why are you gay?”
Njala then introduced a second guest, pastor and anti-gay activist Martin Ssempa. Seated across from Onziema, Ssempa began characterizing and criticizing various alleged sexual practices of LGBT people using fruits and vegetables as props, while shouting in both English and Luganda.[2] The interview became the subject of various Internet memes, commonly titled "Why Are You Gay?".[3][4]
Suspension from NBS Television
editOn June 21, 2024, Njala held a thanksgiving event for a member of Uganda's parliamentary opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, in Masaka.[5] Njala also sent a series of pro-Mpuuga and anti-National Unity Platform messages on X (formerly known as Twitter).[6][7]
Days later, Njala's employer, Next Media, suspended him for two weeks from NBS TV and circulated a statement emphasizing that the company's ethics policies concerning journalistic objectivity forbid journalists from "public association with political parties, alliances, coalitions, or related matters that could undermine our principles."[8]
References
edit- ^ "Alumni | Makerere University". www.mak.ac.ug. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ Busey, Kelli (2012-12-20). "Ugandan TransMan Pepe Onziema Calls Out Hatefull Pastor". Planet Transgender. Archived from the original on 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
- ^ "Explaining The "Why Are You Gay" Meme". Gayety. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
- ^ Benjie (2024-09-06). "Andrew Tate endorses Simon Kaggwa Njala as VP candidate, sparking viral response on X". MBU. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Nakamatte, Winnie (2024-06-25). "SHOCKER: NBS TV's Top Talk Show Host Simon Njala Kaggwa Suspended in Dramatic Crackdown!". Ugstandard. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Asingwire, Mzee (2024-06-26). "Suspended Kaggwa Njala speaks out as Next Media reinforces social media policies". Pulse Uganda. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Kaggwa Njala Suspended By NBS TV". Ugandan Exclusive. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Asingwire, Mzee (2024-06-26). "Suspended Kaggwa Njala speaks out as Next Media reinforces social media policies". Pulse Uganda. Retrieved 2024-08-14.