Valentines Day Eve wasn’t going to go by without a plug for Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the regulator of the communications and broadcasting sector in the country’s signature bit.
The regulator last week ordered all outdoor community broadcasters who use ‘bizindaalo’ erected on trees, placed along pathways or poles, so as to broadcast messages in localized areas to cease operations.
To make a profit, the community radios which are very popular in Uganda charges from 2000-10,000 shillings per advert and they engage in sending messages that include death, local music shows and lost goods among others.
And UCC in collaboration with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Uganda Police’s Environmental Protection unit on Monday launched an operation on illegal broadcasting commonly known as bizindaalo.
The initial operation took place in Makindye Division and Entebbe road both in Kampala in areas like Luwafu, Salama, Gangu, Kabuuma, Ndikuttamadda, Masajja. Local NGO, Youth of Faith Development Organisation (YOFDO) was the first place of the clampdown.
As the day progressed, several bizindaalo operators were questioned over contravening Section 26(1) of the UCC Act of 2013. The Act provides that ‘A person shall not install or operate any broadcasting apparatus without a licence issued by the commission.”
In an interview, Pamela Ankunda, UCC’s publicist said they were leaving no room for illegalities going forward and warned operators of bizindaalo elsewhere to pull them down with immediate effect or face the wrath of the law.
She said, “We can’t allow illegalities. Licensed operators need protection from these illegal broadcasters.”
The Commission also claims that the operation of such mediums is a public nuisance and an infringement on the rights of citizens to peace and quiet in the areas.
