Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed radio and television stations to stop live broadcasts, saying they incite the public. In his letter to all broadcasters, Mutabazi said the Commission will not hesitate to “carry out enforcement for non-compliance” with these guidelines and that “any further breach will result in suspension and revocation of your license in accordance with section 41 of the UCC Act 2013.”
The order comes just hours after MPs violently protested on the floor to Parliament plans to table the draft bill to amend Article 102(b) to remove the presidential age limit.
The flying chairs, punches and heckling were all broadcast live by major television stations in Uganda. He said the Commission had noted with concern that both radio and television broadcasting operators are relaying live broadcasts which are “inciting the public, discriminating, stirring up hatred, promoting a culture of violence amongst the viewers and are likely to create public insecurity or violence.”
Mutabazi further said such live broadcasts are in breach of the “minimum broadcasting standards” as laid down in section 31 of the UCC Act 2013 and “best practice guidelines” for electronic media coverage/reporting and broadcasting of live events.
