We have once again learnt of a disturbing directive by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Mr. Nyombi Thembo, requiring the media house owners/ operators to regulate their employee’s personal social media/ online platforms. This directive was issued during the UCC’s Friday 18 October 2024 meeting in Kampala.
The same Commission under the leadership of Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi had issued a directive to the 13 media house owners/operators to sack 39 journalists including producers, editors and program managers on 30th April 2019, for publishing what came to be known as un desirable content to them. Notable among the media houses is Akaboozi FM, BBS TV, Beat FM, Kingdom TV, NBS TV, NTV, Pearl FM, Salt TV, Sapientia FM and Simba FM.
Following that, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) filed a petition with the High Court against the UCC’s application of excessive powers which had far reaching implication on enjoyment of the press freedom, and the High Court Judge the Hon. Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe issued an order restraining the journalists’ sacking until when the main application has been determined, which is yet to happen.
The Judge observed in her ruling that the UCC’s directive was illegal since it contravened with the journalist’s rights of freedom of speech, expression, publication among others, as enshrined in the Constitution of Uganda.
The UCC had in its April 30th, 2019 directive also demanded that within three days from the date when it was issued, media houses submit to them the names, particulars and qualifications of the subject office holders as well as the recordings of all live programs and news bulletins aired on the April, 29th, 2019.
Sadly, the same Commission is back with almost the similar directive whose intention is to stifle the constitutionally guaranteed press freedom enjoyment that is inseparable from the freedom of speech.
That said directive is venomous to the independent journalism as it will culminate into retrenchment of journalists and suing of the implementing media houses, which is un healthy to our noble profession.
We therefore, strongly protest and reject the UCC directive as we urge the journalist’s employers to disregard it since they risk being embroiled in endless legal battles.
In case any media professional falls victim of the same, UJA will not hesitate to seek legal redress for their rights. We also humbly request the Court to conclude all the journalists’ pending cases including the one against the UCC, to help with reducing injustices against journalists.
EMMANUEL KIRUNDA,
SECRETARY GENERAL,
UGANDA JOURNALISTS
ASSOCIATION (UJA)
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