Uganda moves in on rogue bloggers and online media sites ahead of 2021 elections

Uganda Communication Commission

Bloggers and viral social media users will now be required to ‘register for monitoring’ at the Ugandan Communication Commission- By Gerald Gekara

The commission has put a mandatory deadline of October 5, 2020, failure to do so may be considered an offense.

“Regulation of communication services is intended to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers, operator, viewers and listeners,” a notice by commission read.

The Commission will register online televisions, online newspapers, audio over IP (AoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio, and any other related platforms.

However, critics have opposed the move, saying the new development amounts to quell the media for the upcoming General Election in 2021.

“Uganda regulator gives social media users, bloggers, etc. with large follows an Oct. 5, 2020 deadline to register “for monitoring by the state”. With polls in Feb. 2021, the🇺🇬 govt repression of free expression is on steroids. The leopard has pimped his spots,” Charles Onyango, a Ugandan Journalist Tweeted.

Those found culpable of broadcasting information that is; contrary to public morality, promotes the culture of violence, distorts facts, or is likely to promote violence will have their licenses revoked.