Andrew Jjengo, the son of the late controversial pastor Augustine Yiga, opened up about why he was forced to shut down ABSTV, a media outlet founded by his late father and based in Kawala.

In a recent interview, Jjengo explained that running the television station was never his personal passion but his father’s vision and mission, which he inherited after his father’s death.

He revealed that after taking time to reflect on the station’s operations and the financial demands that came with running it, he eventually decided to close its doors because the costs had become too overwhelming.

According to Jjengo, the station required approximately Shs 60 million every month to keep it running, an expense he could no longer justify, especially given the other responsibilities he had taken on after his father’s death.

Beyond the television station, he disclosed that he was also responsible for the welfare of more than 500 people who depended on him for survival, including children whose school fees he had to pay.

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It was never my passion. When I reflected and analysed the situation I was in, I found out that I wasn’t in a position to run the TV.

I calculated and found out that I had to spend Shs60 million every month, yet I had school fees bills to foot for the children that were left. I had over 500 individuals whose survival depended on me.

Jjengo further revealed that he was only 23 years old when his father passed away on November 25, 2020, leaving him with the enormous responsibility of looking after hundreds of people who had depended on the late pastor.

“My dad passed away when I was 23 years old and left 500 people. He passed away on November 25, 2020, when I had just turned 23,” he added.