By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan government has banned live broadcasting or live streaming of riots, warning that such coverage risks spreading panic and undermining public order.
This was revealed by the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Nyombi Thembo during a press conference at Media Centre Kampala on Monday
He said broadcasters must not air unreviewed live footage of violent incidents, arguing that international best practice requires editorial oversight before content reaches the public.
“Live broadcasting or live streaming of riots such incidents is prohibited,” Thembo said. “That is why broadcasters have delay mechanisms in their studios, so editors can review content before it is delivered to the public.”
According to Thembo allowing unchecked live streams could amplify incitement, hate speech and violence, adding that any such content, whether broadcast on radio and television or posted online, would attract “immediate enforcement action”.
Thembo rejected claims that the directive amounted to censorship, insisting the UCC was acting within the law. He said broadcast licences were binding contracts between media houses, the regulator and the government, and by extension the public.
“When we tell you something is prohibited, we are allowed under the law to do that,” he said, urging broadcasters to read and internalise their licensing obligations.
The regulator also warned media outlets against declaring election results without authorisation from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), saying this could fuel anxiety and unrest.
“The declaration of election results is the sole mandate of the Electoral Commission,” Thembo said, adding that elections were a regulated constitutional process and “not news as usual”.
He said all results announced by broadcasters must originate from the Electoral Commission and be clearly identified as such.
“I’m going to ask you that every announcement of electoral results should be followed by a statement that these results have been verified by the Electoral Commission,” he said.
The remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of media coverage during politically sensitive periods, with the UCC maintaining that its role is to safeguard public order while ensuring responsible broadcasting.
