To Improve Strained Relations, Ugandan Army, Media Face Off on Soccer Field 

KAMPALA - Relations between the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces and the media have been strained in recent months, after several journalists were beaten by army troops while trying to cover a demonstration. In hopes of improving matters, top army officers played two friendly football (soccer) matches with members of the media.    

This was no ordinary match. Guns and boots filled the Phillip Omondi football grounds. Most of the spectators were dressed in army fatigues.      The no-nonsense military police feared by both the public and media cheered loudly as the match between military generals and the heads of several media outlets kicked off.     The army generals, decked out in white and blue shirts, were led by the chief of defense forces, General David Muhoozi. The media team was dressed in neon green and grey and led by owners of media houses Nation Media, the New Vision Group, and several others.