This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
October 20, 2019
Human Rights Watch and media stakeholders in Uganda have accused the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) of harassing the media, particularly in the lead-up to the 2021 elections.
According to Oryem Nyeko, Africa Division Researcher at Human Rights Watch, the government should be guaranteeing free and independent media. 'The government should be guaranteeing free and independent media, especially in light of forthcoming elections in 2021,' Nyeko said.
The UCC recently asked five media houses to explain why their licenses should not be suspended, citing a breach of minimum broadcasting standards. The media houses in question include NTV Uganda, NBS, Bukedde, BBS, and Kingdom Television.
The bone of contention is the coverage of the arrest of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, in April. The UCC accuses the five TV stations and a radio station of breaching minimum broadcasting standards when they covered the Bobi Wine arrest.
However, not all media houses were penalized. One television station and several radio stations were pardoned by the UCC for showing remorse, while only one radio station was deemed to have done no wrong.
UCC officials defended their actions, claiming that the media sectors require strong regulation. 'The media has the ability to incite the public to committing crimes,' said Ibrahim Bbosa, UCC spokesperson.
The UCC also plans to introduce new requirements for broadcasters, including the submission of programs for previewing at least seven days before they are aired.
