UCC letter to NAB: Directive to some Broadcasters about breach of Minimum Broadcasting Standards (07.05.2019)

Makerere University – Department of Journalism and Communication: The Media is a Development Partner and Not Enemy of Government (07.05.2019)

Uganda Law Society Statement on the Uganda Communication Commission’s Directive to Media Houses (04.05.2019)

Joint local statement on restrictions to freedom of Expression and Assembly in Uganda (03.05.2019)

Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU): Press Statement (03.05.2019)

Joint Statement: UCC’s Strangehold on Freedom of Expression is Illegitimate (02.05.2019)

National Asssociation Broadcasters letter to Uganda Communications Commission Executive Director Mutabazi: “RE: Repeated Breach of Minimum Broadcasting Standards” (02.05.2019)

Uganda Parliamentary Press Association: The Madness of Godfrey Mutabazi must be stopped (02.05.2019)

UCC goes rouge on 13 media houses on Labour Day!

Some days are supposed to be sleepy, nearly nothing happening. Your hearing crickets and birds chirping outside the window. Usually, the 1^st of May, every year is a bit slow, if your not participating in marches, rallies or collective state sponsored gatherings, where-ever they are. However, today the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has gone rouge, they are really going all out on media. In a sense that isn’t to monitor their broadcast, but more to silence the ones who speaks up on behalf of the Opposition.

Earlier today, three employees at the NBS Television was suspended by the UCC, it is now later revealed, that this was just the beginning, as the state and UCC wanted to show no remorse or inaction. As their loyalty to the President goes beyond ordinary measures. They are just taking away people’s livelihoods without any question. Just suspending the ones in-charge of programmes and productions at 13 media houses of different capacity. Certainly, this a retaliation of some sort.

Some are saying the NBS Television was suspended because of their broadcasting of the trial of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine earlier this week. That is most likely the reason for all of this, since the leadership and regime at this current is very vindictive of the people, who are spreading the message of any serious opposition leader.

Here is the recent post from the UCC:

“The Uganda Communications Commission (The Commission) has directed the suspension of Producers, Head of News and Head of Programmes in the following broadcasting stations; AKABOOZI FM, BBS TV, BEAT FM, BUKEDDE TV, CAPITAL FM, CBS FM, KINGDOM TV, NBS TV, NTV, PEARL FM, SALT TV, SAPIENTIA FM and SIMBA FM. This follows concerns over the nature of content aired on these broadcast stations particularly during live programmes, breaking news, and main news bulletins which do not comply with the Minimum broadcasting standards. The Commission observes that these programmes contain content that:- 1. Misrepresents information, views, facts and events in a manner likely to mislead or cause alarm to the public. 2. Has extremist or anarchic messages, including incitement of violence for political and/or other purposes. 3. Incites the public against other members of the public based on their political, religious, cultural and tribal affiliations which are likely to create public insecurity or violence” (Uganda Communications Commission – ‘SUSPENDED – REPEATED BREACH OF MINIMUM BROADCASTING STANDARDS’ 01.05.2019).

This is a very common pattern of the state, where the ones broadcasting the possible message or spreading their views to much. Now, that they did broadcast and spell out the acts against Bobi Wine on the 29^th April 2019. They have clearly done to much of it. This has insulted the intelligence of the UCC and the President himself. Surely, his seen and heard this and haven’t enjoyed the broadcast. As they are supposed to spread his views and stories, not the ones of the opposition. Surely, they are so heartbroken, that they had to send this message more clearly to the Media Houses.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President wants his messages spread, not the ones of dissidents. That is why the state is doing this. To send a MEMO to the OWNERS, whose in control and what they can do. If they don’t sensitize the public the way they want it to be done. So, they now have to keep to this memo, if doing otherwise. Only the within the small measures, which is not taking it to far. Like they did on the 29^th April 2019 and even after. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye taken from House-Arrest; AGAIN! Detained at Kiira Road P.S.; Planned to meet at FDC HQ for a National Executive Council meeting to discuss Court Petition; While Journalist detained in Kasangati to follow the situation; Police blames journalist for “Disseminating information” to the public!

As the House Arrest continues, Dr. Kizza Besigye has still limited access to the world. He had planned to meet fellow FDC officials. That he was not allowed to does his party work, still days after the Election Day.

Reported:

“Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested this afternoon outside his home as he attempted to go to Najjanankumbi for an FDC Management committee meeting which will be followed by the National Executive Committee meeting tomorrow”.

Just as before he was taken in a Police-van as he was trying to leave the home and will be detain somewhere as he was driving away from his home; the DPC of Kasangati James Kawalya is still following his orders.

As he went out of the home he got taken by the van and then detained at the Kiira Road Police Station. He has been there the whole day.

About the Meeting that Dr. Kizza Besigye was about to attend:

“Leaders in the Forum for Democratic Change party are meeting today to decide the next course of action as the deadline for challenging the outcome of the February 18 presidential election looms” (…)”The meeting convened by the FDC president Major General Mugisha Muntu at the party headquarters seeks to decide on whether the party’s option of court still holds water, a day to the deadline” (…)”Present at the meeting is FDC chairman Wasswa Biriggwa, Vice President Northern, Reagan Okumu, FDC Electoral Commission Chairman Dan Mugarura, Leader of Opposition Wafula Oguttu, FDC Treasurer Geoffrey Ekkanya, among others” (…)”FDC presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye was also expected to attend the meeting however, he was arrested again by men in Police uniform as he left his home in Kasangati for the meeting” (…)”There is heavy police presence at the party headquarters with regular and field force police officers deployed around the area” (The Capital Gang on 91.3 Capital FM, 29.02.2016).

What I have highlighted is the issue that the Police and the NRM-Regime cannot handle as they have too much to hide by the way they “won” the election. If they didn’t then they would let the FDC and their organization come with evidence to court without any issues together with their presidential candidate. It is obvious that Police is going against the FDC and that shows how the NRM are dealing with their “Knock-Out” win; they are proving by their actions alone. That they fear the petition that the opposition party could come with, also the results of the evidence brought to court. That is something to think about!

Abed Bwanika had this to say:

“Today 29-Feb-2016 I am on my way to meet Kizza Besigye peacefully. Thereafter I await to meet National Resistance Movement – NRM Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni having sent him my notice of intention to meet him. It shall take humility to realize a government of national unity.  For God and My Country” (Bwanika, 29.02.2016).

Mr. Bwanika will not be able to meet with Besigye at Kasangati as he has been detain the whole day at Kiira Road Police Station, and the basis for the meeting and the premise. The planned and sought of Unity between Besigye and Museveni; should be deleted plan as it is not something to go for. The only one winning on that is President Museveni and he does not deserve “Legitamacy” for his power and rule at this point.

Also today as journalist from NBS TV arrived around the home in Kasangati and was yet again. This journalist was Elijah Turya and his camera man was taken away. Another reporter was also arrested not at Kasangati, but in Kampala near the State House in Nakasero as the reporter was filming the piglets dropped there earlier today. The reporter was CCTV Abubaker Muwonge. After the report the matters has gotten worse as the Police have asked to get his passwords for his phones to get the information on his phone. He has declined to deliver that request.

Clip from NBS TV:

“With Kizza Besigye under house arrest, it has become increasingly dangerous for journos who cover his stories. Some were recently arrested by the police for inexplicable reasons” (NBS TV Uganda, 28.02.2016).

One Journalist talk about his experience at the Kasangati Police Station:

“Am back from Kasangati police cells with no charges but accused of disseminating information to the public especially covering Besigye. Among other journalists detained but released together were Lubowa Dean Ssaava Nbs Tv, Elijja Turyagumanawe Nbs Tv, Mukose Arnold Anthony Salt Media, Ssendegeya Mohammed CBS and other 3 BBS Tv reporters. This was done by police to smoothly sneak out and arrest Besigye to un known place without being followed by journalists. We appeal to police to professionally work with us because we are not enemies with security agencies and we want one another” (Arnold Anthony Mukose, 29.02.2016).

I hope I disseminating information to the public because I do not want to sound like Adrew Mwenda or Ofwono Opondo as they are the ones are allowed to write whatever and say whatever with getting the police and being detained at the moment. The journalists and the opposition officials are still under hot-water and the police acting “wokoloso”.

The actions towards Dr. Kizza Besigye are as foolish as it has been since he has been day-in and day-out. Still the issues are there and the warrant or charges for the man has not come. So the issue is that the Police and government are violating his freedom of expression and also political life. As he is the man who they fear the most! While now the Police are tired of the expression of the Press as they attacks the journalists and detain them for doing the job, they are alerting the world about the situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Something that should not give them a felony! Peace.