Transition: Journalism to Politics?

It's been about months since I watched a rather informative program by the Al Jazeera News Network.
It was about the transition from Journalism into politics and the challenges that journalists in Israel were facing. There was a brief historical account in which the writer described how power had shifted from generals to other groups but more specifically to journalists and media people.
The irony as was stated in the documentary was that media people were still perhaps the least trusted group in Israel.
I mentioned this because there are pattern or trend setting nations which others watch and others imitate.
Uganda has faced something similar, both nations have vibrant military type leadership systems and governance styles that mirror each other. Even if Uganda pales in comparison to Egypt there are similarities between the functions of the latter to those of the former.
The management of the transition from journalism to politics is interesting and is worth mentioning because it is a very natural process.
The journalist depends heavily on social links for stories and often the rapid and frequent interaction with people soon begins to wear him out.
Because the reporter serves as a bridge between people and their representatives, he is often surprised when he finds mismatches between what he hears and what is reported and eventually legislated for.

There are a few in Uganda who have risen in the ranks and taken up key posts in governance in Uganda. Two notable examples are Moses Kasibante and Mr. Samuel Hashaka. The former made his name as a journalist on the controversial CBS station (a Kingdom centered), while the latter has found himself a Cosy position in the District Hierarchy.
Like the Israelis that were mentioned in the Al Jazeera Story, there is bound to be some friction from Media Circles and accusations of selling out to the system. Uganda Is a little unique in the sense that Opposition Politics can be a great way to increase revenue.
What will prove interesting is what assignments will emerge for those who are on both sides of the greater political game.
Mr. Kasibante hit the ground running after a contentious election in which he merged the victor after tussle with Mr. Katongole Singh. Soon he was all over the media fighting for the rights of residents and trying to prove his worth to his peers. His access to media gives him an advantage over his detractors and allows him to continue to gather political capital. As time passes and the perks that come with leadership continue to increase I suspect that there will be a greater divide between himself and his former colleagues and true tests leadership emerge.
Meanwhile Mr. Samuel Hashaka (Resident City Commissioner)finds himself in an interesting position. He has recently been tasked with the inconvenient task of reining in some vocal journalists and radio stations most notably (and as reported by the weekly observer) Basajja Mivulle, a passionate firebrand of a man whose program casts a critical eye on some of the operations of government.
With vast populations still depending on Radio for their news and opinions, this is still very ripe ground for those with some piece of the broadcasting pie.
It is no wonder that a good number of radio stations are said to be owned by Political Players. This is also the case in Somalia where broadcasting power rests firmly in the grips of powerful clan heads.
It will be interesting to note who emerges out of the field of journalists and takes the bold step into politics and how power shifts are handled by military men as they challenge their equivalents in the battle for influence and trust.