Nsangi Secondary School has apologised to Ugandan media practitioners following a viral video in which some students called on veteran journalists to retire and give younger talent an opportunity.
The video, which has since been deleted, triggered criticism from several media practitioners who viewed the students’ remarks as disrespectful towards established figures in Uganda’s media industry.
In response to the backlash, the school administration issued an apology, distancing the institution from the comments and pledging disciplinary action against the students responsible.
The school explained that its projects and challenges are intended to nurture students’ talents and help them explore their abilities. However, it acknowledged that the media engagement in question had gone beyond those objectives.
In its statement, the administration said the students had crossed the line by insulting prominent media personalities featured in the circulating video.
“However, it is very unfortunate that during one of the media engagements, the students went overboard and insulted some of the key media personalities in Uganda, as reflected in the video making rounds on social media,” the apology read.
The school expressed regret over the incident and promised to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
“We are truly sorry about this unfortunate development and pledge that the same will not happen again. Stern disciplinary action will be taken against the perpetrators,” the statement added.
The administration also appealed directly to the media practitioners who were affected by the remarks.
“We kindly request forgiveness from the key media practitioners in the spotlight,” it said.
The controversy centres on the students’ call for experienced journalists to step aside in favour of younger media talent. While generational change is a recurring discussion across creative and professional industries, the video drew criticism over how the message was delivered.
The school’s response sought to distinguish its broader goal of encouraging student creativity from the conduct displayed during the media engagement.
Its promise of disciplinary action signals that the administration considers the incident inconsistent with the standards it expects from students participating in school-related projects.
The apology comes after the video circulated widely enough to attract public attention and criticism from members of the media fraternity. The school has acknowledged the offence caused, although details of the disciplinary measures and the students involved have not been provided in the statement supplied.
The incident highlights the challenges schools face when giving students platforms to express opinions publicly, particularly when those projects involve prominent public figures.
For Nsangi Secondary School, the immediate task is to address the fallout while ensuring that opportunities for students to develop their communication skills are accompanied by appropriate guidance and accountability.