Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has summoned 11 television station presenters over what it reffered to as derogatory and demeaning language used in lifestlyle television shows.
The summons, according to UCC, allegedly follow the increasing number of complaints from members of the public over the language and statements used by presenters and guests which are often “abusive, derogatory, and contain unsubstantiated claims against different personalities.
The TV stations and programs include; Spark TV -Live wire, NBS TV -Uncut sabula/kalakata, Kingdom TV -Kapyaki, Dream TV -Tik-tak sesetula, BTM TV -Access, BBS TV -Roundabout, Baba TV -Poko Poko, Urban TV -Short Circuit, Top TV -Kachumbali, ABSTV -Urban Zone, and STV -Select E-Buzz.
In a post on their social media account, the complaints received by the Commission include; invasion of privacy of individuals, programs contain misleading and unverified content, contain adult-oriented content, sexual innuendos and profanity among others.
On Thursday, it was also stated that the Commission had serious engagements with presenters of the said programs at it’s head offices in Bugolobi, Kampala. However, the details of the meeting remain scanty.
Quotting powers in Section 5(1)(b),(x),(j), 29(b), 31 and 45 of the UCC Act, 2013, the Commission says it has instituted investigations into the complaints focusing on the role of presenters because they run the programs contrary to previous cases when the focus was on media owners.
The move by UCC follows the arrest and detention of three employees of Next Media including a program presenter on simillar elegations lodged by local musician Omulangira Ssuuna.
The three who include Isaac Kawalya alias Kayz, Williams Makuliro alias ,Makko and Brian Keneddy alias Wakko were arrested and remanded to Kitalya prison last week only to be released yesterday on court bail.
Prosecution alleges that three presenters who work with NBS Television and it’s sister station, Sanyuka Television while appearing on their morning Express show, defamed Singer Omulangira Ssuuna on allegations that he sleeps with sugar mummies and witchcraft.
The same fate befell a one Isma Kalevvu a reknown blogger who was also detained in Kitalya Prison for days on remand but later released on court bail.