Fact check: No evidence behind claims of Rubangakene’s speakership bid

A photo posted by Samuel Oyet Agwani, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Publicity Secretary for Gulu City, on his WhatsApp status on Sunday at 9:21 pm, alleged that Daniel Rubagakene, commonly known as Boyika, the current Gulu City male youth councillor V, who was recently re-elected for another term, is contesting for the position of Speaker.

The image was originally posted on February 11 by YouTuber Wilfred Tekkwo, a media personality, with the caption: “Boyika’s Speaker Bid Gains Momentum Under Mayor Gunya in Gulu City Council.” He later released a video elaborating on the claim, which has since attracted more than 494 views.

The photo has since gone viral, with several senior NRM members repeatedly sharing it.

Impact

This has led some Gulu City residents to accuse the Mayor-elect, Julius Acire Labeja, and the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong, of sponsoring and using Boyika for their own political interests.

These claims stem from the perception that Boyika was close to and supportive of the Mayor-elect during his contest against the incumbent Mayor, Alfred Okwonga.

Following the circulation of the image, some Gulu City councillors, including Vanessa Anyango, the female youth councillor V, were reportedly led to believe that Boyika was indeed contesting for the speakership.

Our reporter sought to verify the authenticity of the image, particularly because it originated from a media personality who has previously faced accusations of spreading misinformation as seen here when he broadcasted about Rwot Acana Accepting Rwot Apire as LawiRwodi after long standing disputes and here when he lied about Gulu main market being on fire.

In our fact-check, Rubagakene confirmed that he had seen the image circulating on social media but stated that it had been fabricated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). He firmly denied having any interest in contesting for the position of Speaker.

A closer examination of the image reveals several inconsistencies:

The headpiece shown is not consistent with the official attire worn by the Speaker of Gulu City. It more closely resembles a royal crown commonly associated with Middle Eastern monarchies.

This photo vs the photo below:

The lady above is putting on a wig worn by high ranking officials like speakers and district mayors in Uganda, versus the one used in the claim that has no resemblance.

Gulu City does not have a ceremonial speaker’s chair of the type depicted in the image. In the background of the image used to prove this image aint real, we see no such chair as the one in the claim.

In council proceedings, the Speaker does not hold the mace. The mace is carried into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms and placed on the Table of the House, where it remains while the House is in session.

Observations from Gulu City Council meetings confirm that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker presides without holding or touching the mace.

The visible presence of a bus symbol (associated with the NRM party) on what is supposed to be Gulu City Council symbol, on the top right, further raises questions about the image’s authenticity. The emblem on the east african flag is not an NRM symbol. This mistake is a hallmark of AI generated images.

So far, four NRM Gulu City councillors have expressed interest in the speakership position: the current Deputy Speaker, Lambart Lamex Akena; Geoffrey Akena; Susan Acan; and the current Secretary for Finance, Caroline Rose Adong. Rubagakene has not publicly declared interest nor been listed among the contenders.

Conclusion

The photo and accompanying video are misleading and lack credible evidence to support the claim that Rubagakene is vying for the Gulu City Speakership.