FULL LIST: UCC Orders Closure of 24 Radio Stations (See Why)

The Uganda Communications Commission Commission) has ordered the closure of 24 radio stations across the country. 

Established under section 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 (the Act) as the regulator in the development of modern communications sector, which includes telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications, postal communications, data communication and infrastructure deployment, UCC says the decision to order the shutdown of these radio stations followed a technical inspection or survey conducted in the period June-July 2022.

According to the Commission, whose Executive Director is Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo,  the radio stations in question have been identified as “operating illegally.”

It should be remembered that according to sections 26, 27 and 33 of the Act, it is an offence for any person to install, operate or otherwise provide broadcasting services and to convey, deliver or distribute any postal articles without a license issued by the Commission.

Riding on its powers and mandate as detailed under sections 5, 6, 21, 26, 27, 33(1) and 38 of the UCC Act, the Commission has released the list of illegal radio stations which are not licensed and authorized to provide communication services in Uganda.

In a public notice issued on September 15, UCC advised the proprietors and all persons working for the listed illegal radio stations to “immediately stop providing illegal services.”

The regulator also warned of consequences for those who refuse to shut down as ordered.

“The Commission shall, in accordance with sections 6, 33, and 78 of the Uganda Communications – Act 2013 undertake countrywide enforcement activities against all illegal operators,” the public notice further read.

“All persons that will be found providing the subject illegal services shall be arrested, prosecuted and their equipment confiscated in accordance with the law. The public is advised not to deal or otherwise transact with the above listed illegal providers of communication services.”

LIST OF ILLEGAL RADIO STATIONS AS RELEASED BY UCC

1. Adventist World Radio Vine-FM 92.4 Hoima
2. Africa Mindset 88.4 Ntungamo
3. Bethel FM 98.4 Ntungamo
4. Bridge FM 98.8 Kyenjojo
5. Bukoto FM 93.6 Masaka
6. Dream FM 98.7 Ntungamo
7. Eli Shama 87.5 Tororo
8. Eye FM 94.6 Sironko
9. Healing Church FM 91.5 Kyotera/Mutukura
10. lbanda FM 90.8 Ibanda
11. Kalungu FM 95.7 Kalungu
12. Lwengo FM 97.9 Lwengo
13. Matsiko FM 99.9 Kyotera
14. Mayuge FM 99.3 Mayuge
15. Mpororo FM 89.8 Ntungamo
16. Ngabu FM 89.9 Bunyangabu
17. Rubanda 89.0 Kabale
18. Rukundo FM 95 8 Kitagwenda
19. Sabin FM 90.3 Bukwo
20. Terra FM 90.5 Kolokoto
21. Thunder FM 97.6 Ntungamo
22. Voice of Bukuya 89.5 Kassanda
23. Voice of Kyankwanzi (VOK) 89.7 Kyankwanzi
24. Voice of the Gospel 91.7 Lira

Last month, UCC threatened to close over 100 radio stations. (Read Story Here).