The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has been in the process of closing non-compliant Radio Stations around the country and several sections of the masses have seen this move as some kind of plot to block the opposition presidential and parliamentary candidates from being hosted on these Radio Station. The Communication regulator has come out this week to clear the air and attempt correct the wrong impression created by the ongoing nationwide enforcement exercise of non-compliant broadcasting stations in Uganda.
UCC says the exercise is not politically-motivated as it aims to bring into line non-compliant stations with regard to license requirements. Many of the affected radio stations are heavily indebted to the Commission, with regard to their licence fees. Before this exercise began, UCC had reminded the affected stations to clear their debts owed to the Commission. In addition, the Commission ran a public notice in the print media, tech blogs and on the UCC website with regard to the impending closure.
Most of the affected station owe UCC a lot of money ranging from UGX 4 million to about UGX40 million. This list is not exhaustive, for it excluded TV stations (about 15) and those radio stations who owe the Commission lesser amounts of money.
These radio stations include:
| Name of Company | Call Sign | Frequency | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nkabi Broadcasting Services Limited | Smart FM | 89.MHz | Jinja |
| 2 | Christian Life Ministries | Top FM | Kampala | |
| 3 | Western Broadcasting Services | Hits FM | 103.4MHz | Mbarara |
| 4 | Three Angels Broadcasting Network | 3ABN FM | Kampala | |
| 4 | Kamuli Broadcasting Services | Endhuba FM | 105.9 MHz | Kamuli |
| 5 | Rhino Communications Company | Rhino FM | 96.1MHz | Lira |
| 6 | Kyenjojo FM Radio Limited | Kyenjojo FM | 92.4MHz | Kibaale |
| 7 | Diocese of South Rwenzori | Messiah FM | 97.5MHz | Kasese |
| 8 | Seventh Day Adventist Association | Prime FM | 91.9 MHz | Kampala |
| 9 | Nora Media Group Limited | Choice FM | 92.1MHz | Gulu |
| 10 | Presbyterian Church of Uganda | Kapchorwa Trinity Radio | 94.1MHz | Kapchorwa |
| 11 | West Nile Broadcasting Services | WBN FM | 91.7MHz | Arua |
However, some of these radio stations have cleared the debt and are back on air. Under Section 27 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, any station which refuses to settle its indebtedness to the Commission is operating illegally. It’s in this line that the Commission is undertaking this exercise.
Suffice to say, communication regulator says they will continue with this exercise until all the stations comply with the Uganda Communications Act 2013. As a regulator of the communications sector in Uganda, UCC says they shall continue to exercise its oversight role for the good of Ugandans.
Image Credit: Daily Mail
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