- UCC also wants Google to ensure that all content broadcast to Uganda through YouTube’s applications and services strictly complies with Uganda’s Minimum Broadcasting Standards as it’s enshrined in the act.
- Police said journalists without accreditation from the council would not be allowed to cover political events
The channels include; TMO online, Lumbuye Fred, Trending Channel Ug, Uganda Yaffe, Uganda News Updates, Ghetto TV, Busesa Media Updates and Uganda Empya.
Others are; Map Mediya TV, KK TV, Ekyooto TV, Namungo Media, JB Muwonge 2, Bobi Wine 2021.
According to UCC, the channels were used to mobilise riots that resulted in the loss of several lives and property in Uganda. The riots broke out in Kampala on November 18, 2020 and spread to other parts of the country following the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
The commission says they were moved to write to Google after receiving complaints from stakeholders including the Minister of Internal Affairs who chairs the National Security Council, the Uganda police Force and also observing that communication services, platforms and networks, including YouTube are being used to publish, disseminate, and/or broadcast content that, contrary to Uganda Communications Act of 2013 and Regulation 8 (2) of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulation 2019.
According to government, the channels misrepresent information, views, facts and events in a manner likely to mislead the public.
