The Uganda Communications Commission(UCC) has directed all media houses hosting senior Presidential Advisor on media Joseph Tamale Mirundi to pay a fine of US$ 520 for breach of minimum broadcasting standards and threatened to revoke their licenses if they fail to restrain the popular media analyst from attacking public officials and defaming fellow presidential advisor on economic monitoring Odrek Mugisha Rwabogo.
In a tough but detailed ruling,UCC has also directed the closure of KASUKU LIVE, a youtube broadcast of Mr. Mirundi’s rants and episodes against persons he refers to as Mafias over accusations that they do mischief to government and President Yoweri Museveni.
The 22 page ruling signed by UCC acting Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo,the commision that was on March 3, 2022 petitioned by Mr. Odrek M. Rwabogo and a group calling itself the Disciplines of Odrek M. Rwabogo found media house STV( owned by SK Mbuga),ABS TV, Balam Baruhagare’s Radio 4, Kasuku Live, HG Tv and Pearl Fm guilty for breach of section 31 that enjoins broadcasters to maintain minimum broadcasting standards required under the Uganda Communications Act 2013.
The broadcasters hosted Mr. Tamale Mirundi and without reasonable cause allowed him to make false , wild statements against Odrek Rwabogo and didnot allow Mr. Rwabogo an opportunity to be heard over the accusations nor task Mirundi to provide cogent evidence to pin him.
Rwabogo ran to UCC and accused the broadcasters of carrying forward falsehoods by Mirundi that he engages in human trafficking, he deals in the illegal trade in human organs, convinced to embezzle funds meant for presidential and parliamentary campaigns that he has commandered and holds several sectors hostage including the beef, diary, leather and training sectors and fisheries.
UCC then invited the accused media houses for a brief on May 18 in Bugolobi. Well as all media houses accepted that they host Mr. Mirundi and heard him speak about the issues cited by Odrek Rwabogo, they claimed they had played a disclaimer to the effect that the content aired belonged to Tamale Mirundi and not their stations. The regulator however says the DISCLAIMER has no meaning in law.
This is Mr. Rwabogo,s first win in a decade – long disagreement between him and Mr. Tamale Mirundi who frequently accuses him of mischief.
UCC has given Mr. Rwabogo greenlight to sue the broadcasters in courts of law for his ugx 5 billion claims in damages saying its mandate doesnt extend to granting such remedies.
UCC has directed broadcasters to retract statements made against Odrek Rwabogo, provide him equal air space to offer his side of the story, prevail over Mirundi to stop his attacks on guests, renew their commitment to broadcasting standards, compel Mirundi to sign commitments to obey broadcast rules, pay US$ 260 each for each of the offences of breach of standards and non-compliance and avail to the commission proof that all the directives have been implemented.
Will Odrek Rwabogo pursue Tamale Mirundi in courts of law or will the two presidential advisors make peace?
Can media houses drop Tamale Mirundi’s shows or brave for the worst in battle. Watch this space!
