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The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered all broadcasters to obtain approval from the Media Council before airing any content, including music videos and audio.

The communications regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), has directed all broadcasters to get approval from the Media Council before airing content, including music videos and audios.

“All broadcasters (television, radio, and online) are directed to ensure that all content, including music videos and audios, is properly classified by the Media Council before being aired, as required under the Press and Journalist Act, Cap. 105,” the statement reads in part.

This, the Commission said, is in response to a “troubling” resurgence of inappropriate content being aired across various media platforms, including television, radio, and online channels.

“This content—often in the form of music lyrics, videos, and interviews—frequently contains offensive, obscene, indecent, and distressing material. Instances include scantily dressed performers engaging in sexually suggestive dances and songs laden with explicit sexual innuendo and inappropriate messages,” the statement reads.

The Commission said that such content is in direct violation of the Minimum Broadcasting Standards as outlined in Section 31 and Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013, which stipulates that broadcasters must ensure that any program aired is not contrary to public morality, complies with existing laws, and that adult-oriented content is appropriately.

The UCC added that such content breaches the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations, 2019.

This is not the first time the Uganda Communications Commission has taken action against media outlets and/or the content to air.

The Commission has on several occasions issued warnings to media outlets about their content and demanded action to improve it to align with minimum broadcasting standards.

In 2021, the UCC instructed eleven television stations to move their adult-themed gossip shows to between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. if they wanted to continue broadcasting them. The Commission stated that these shows were not meeting the required broadcasting standards.

The targeted shows, which primarily focused on celebrity gossip, included NBS TV’s Uncut Sabula and Uncut Kalakata, Spark TV’s Live Wire, Urban TV’s Short Circuit Sonsomola, ABS TV’s Evening Zone, Baba TV’s Poko Poko, and BBS TV’s Roundabout. Others affected were Dream TV’s Tik Taka Sesetura, Kingdom TV’s Kapyaki, STV’s Select E-Buzz, BTM TV’s Access, and Top TV’s Kachumbali.

The UCC stated that the decision followed numerous complaints from the public about these programs breaching the minimum broadcasting standards.

Nyombi said that although UCC has issued multiple warnings, some broadcasters have not met minimum standards for broadcasting.

“Despite previous warnings and reminders, including official letters issued on 9th August 2021 and 25th October 2023, some broadcasters continue to disregard these legal obligations. The Commission HEREBY REITERATES the critical importance of adhering to the Minimum Broadcasting Standards, the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019, and all other applicable laws.”

Nyombi said that failure to comply with the law will result in appropriate legal consequences