UCC Summons Frank Gashumba, Radio 4 Staff Over Alleged Breach of Broadcasting Standards! 

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has summoned Frank Gashumba, Chairman of the Council for Abavandimwe, and Radio 4 staff, including the host and producer of the “Entugga” program, over an alleged breach of minimum broadcasting standards.

According to a letter dated July 8, 2024, Gashumba and the Radio 4 staff are accused of making defamatory and sectarian statements against individuals working at the passport office during the program aired on July 1st, 2024. The UCC is acting on a complaint filed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on July 3, 2024, against Radio 4 Limited.

The commission alleges that Radio 4 allowed the defamatory and sectarian statements to continue without giving the affected parties an opportunity to respond or share their perspective. UCC has made preliminary findings and established that the program discussed controversial matters of public interest but failed to allow other members of the public to share their views during the program, contrary to Regulation 13 of the Uganda Content Regulations of 2019.

If the findings are upheld, Gashumba and the host, Adam Kungu, would be liable to criminal libel, sectarianism, and hate speech. The UCC has as invited the management of Radio 4 for a hearing on July 17, 2024, at 10 am, requesting that they submit recordings of the program, a copy of the program script, a formal written response to the allegations, and an explanation of the arrangement with Gashumba.

Page 1 of the UCC Letter.

The commission also requires the producer, host, and guest to appear in person for the hearing.

Page two of the letter by UCC.

When our Reporter contacted Gashumba for a comment about the summons, he said “if exposing discrimination is a crime I am ready to serve a jail sentence. We shall never ever be apologetic to anyone who violates our rights”.

The Last Page of UCC letter.