By Spy Uganda
Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has joined other media organizations and stakeholders to object to Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directives requiring the media house owners to punish journalists over their social media posts.
The Commission this week said it will require every media house to produce its social media policy as a prerequisite to have their operating licenses renewed.
In the new guidelines, every media house will be required to ensure, in its social media policy that all its employees do not post content that violates their editorial policy.
Now, UJA in a protest statement signed by their secretary general Emmanuel Kirunda says this and other recent directives from UCC aim to bury the freedom of speech and expression which is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 under Article 29(1)(a). This provision explicitly states: “Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and other media.”
”We have once again learnt of a disturbing directive by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Mr. Nyombi Thembo, requiring the media house owners/ operators to regulate their employee’s personal social media/ online platforms. The same Commission under the leadership of Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi had issued a directive to the 13 media house owners/operators to sack 39 journalists including producers, editors and program managers on 30th April 2019, for publishing what came to be known as undesirable content to them,” UJA’s protest statement reads adding;
”Following that, UJA filed a petition with the High Court against the UCC’s application of excessive powers which had far-reaching implications on the enjoyment of press freedom, and the High Court Judge the Hon. Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe issued an order restraining the journalists’ sacking until when the main application has been determined, which is yet to happen.”
UJA says Mutabazi’s directives Court put them on halt because Mugambe in her ruling observed that the UCC’s directive was illegal since it contravened with the journalist’s rights of freedom of speech, expression, publication among others, as enshrined in the Constitution of Uganda.
”Sadly, the same Commission is back with almost a similar directive, whose intention is to stifle the constitutionally guaranteed press freedom enjoyment that is inseparable from the freedom of speech,” says UJA.
The Association believes that the directive is venomous to independent journalism as it will culminate in the retrenchment of journalists and suing of the implementing media houses, which is unhealthy for their noble profession.
”We, therefore, strongly protest and reject the UCC directive as we urge the journalist’s employers to disregard it since they risk being embroiled in endless legal battles. In case any media professional falls victim to the same, UJA will not hesitate to seek legal redress for their rights. We also humbly request the Court to conclude all the journalists’ pending cases including the one against the UCC, to help with reducing injustices against journalists,” vows UJA.
