By Hannah Marion Namukasa
New Vision has issued an unequivocal retraction and apology to Mr Dennis Bugaya over a story published in the newspaper on April 20, 2026, concerning a contested land dispute in Wakiso District.
The newspaper retracted the article titled “Officials Probed Over Contested Wakiso Land”, saying it contained false information about Bugaya.
In the story, Bugaya was identified as a “legal officer” and it was reported that police had summoned him for interrogation over consent documents relating to structures on contested land in Mutungo-Makindye, Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso District.
His photograph was also published alongside the allegations.
However, in its retraction and apology, the newspaper acknowledged that although the photograph used was correctly identified as Bugaya, the claims associated with him were false.
According to the newspaper, Bugaya is the Manager of Operations and Business Development and Public Relations Officer at the Buganda Land Board, and was never summoned or interrogated by police over the alleged matter.
“Mr Bugaya has never faced police summons or interrogation over this matter,” the newspaper stated.
New Vision attributed the error to mistaken identification during the drafting of the article and acknowledged that it should have contacted Bugaya to verify the information before publication.
The newspaper said it took full responsibility for the error and apologised for the distress, inconvenience and harm caused by the publication.
It also extended its regret to Bugaya’s family, his employer, the Buganda Land Board and institutions of the Buganda Kingdom, as well as His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda.
The newspaper said there was no intention to harm Bugaya’s reputation or that of any other person.
The retraction comes as a formal correction of the information contained in the April 20 publication and clarifies Bugaya’s position and non-involvement in the alleged police investigation.
