By TV10 Investigative Desk
The head of the newsroom at BBS Terefayina, Peter Muweesi, and his close friend, Paul Bakkabulindi, a news reporter, have been accused of conning millions of shillings from BBS newsroom staff and other workers from Masengere Mengo through a development savings scheme to buy land for an estate.
The issue began in April 2024 when Muweesi convinced newsroom members to invest in a development project to build an apartment complex. Members were required to make monthly savings of 300,000 shillings, which they did from May 2024. Their goal was to form what they called Masengere Village.
In addition to monthly savings, members were also required to pay 20,000 shillings weekly as group savings, which was compulsory for every member to grow their savings in the Kyaddondo Pewosa Saco based at Masengere Mengo.
According to their agreement, if any member failed to pay at the end of every month or quit the group before two years, their savings would not be refundable. However, there were no documents signed by members to join the group, apart from a list with the names of registered members.
Trouble began when members requested savings statements to track their progress on the Masengere Village project. Muweesi, Bakkabulindi, and their team failed to present the statements, leading some members to suspect that their money was being misused. They demanded a refund.
Muweesi allegedly threatened to fire some members, especially correspondents without contracts, who relied on his discretion to keep their jobs.
According to reliable sources in the newsroom, Muweesi only refunded money to senior reporters, fearing repercussions, but denied refunds to correspondents and new recruits.
A member, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBEG Media that Muweesi, Bakkabulindi,and Hassifu Ssekiwunga would withdraw money from the Zambogo Sacco whenever they needed it.
As pressure mounted, Muweesi made promises to some members, including Hassifu Ssekiwunga, a reporter and news anchor, who was promised a trip to an Ahmadiya Muslim event in London, where BBS is sponsored to broadcast live annually. Others, like Kitanda Ronald, a reporter, were promised consideration for Museveni’s 2026 presidential campaign trail, where they would be highly paid.
Muweesi is not the only manager accused of conning BBS staff. Julius Ssenkungu, the administrator, has also been accused of embezzling 10 million shillings from their daily savings group, known as Akamenza ka Ssekukulu.
In Akamenza ka Ssekukulu, Julius collects varying amounts from members between January and December, aiming to provide something for them to spend during the Christmas season. However, he failed to pay members their Christmas money last year and is currently under pressure to refund the amount. He was recently reported to his superiors, who ordered him to pay.
BBS has a history of financial scandals, including the closure of their staff Sacco after leaders failed to manage it effectively.
