UJA protests UCC’s directive calling on media owners to punish journalists

Kampala |Emmanuel Kirunda, the Secretary General of Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has issued a statement condemning a directive by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). 

Below is what Kirunda penned:

We have learned of another disturbing directive issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Mr. Nyombi Thembo, requiring media house owners/operators to regulate their employees’ personal social media/online platforms. This directive was issued at the UCC meeting on Friday, October 18, 2024, 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 exercise of excessive powers, which had far-reaching implications for the enjoyment of press freedom, and the High Court Judge, the Hon. Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe, issued an order restraining the journalists’ dismissal until the main application was determined, which has yet to occur.

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.

In its April 30th, 2019 directive, the UCC also demanded that media houses submit the names, particulars, and qualifications of the subject office holders, as well as recordings of all live programs and news bulletins aired on 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, and we urge the journalist’s employers to disregard it because they risk being embroiled in endless legal battles.

If any media professional falls victim to this, 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.