Twenty three radio stations have had their licenses suspended by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for allegedly promoting witchcraft, the Daily Monitor reports.
Ms. Pamela Ankunda, a spokesperson for the UCC, told the publication that the closed radio stations have been participating in promoting and advertising witchcraft content, as well as aiding and abetting electronic fraud.
She says the decision was taken after the stations ignored constant warnings sent to them making reference to the public notice of 27th March 2014.
The commission has been given a mandate by the country’s constitution to suspend and revoke the operating license of any media house on the grounds of serious and repeated breach of the license conditions, and any fraud or intentional misrepresentation by the operator.
“The commission has noted with concern that despite these several warnings your undertaking not to advertise and promote witchcraft…and the public outcry against such misuse of the airwaves, your station has continued to advertise and promote witchcraft in contravention of section 2 of the witchcraft act,” states a letter from the commission.
The regulator also accused the named radio stations of aiding and abetting fraud by allowing fraudsters to con people on their airwaves through promotion of healing powers.
Ms Ankunda however said the stations would be back on air once they comply with broadcasting standards while advising them to train their presenters on some of the dos and don’ts of journalism so as to avoid the same fate in the future.
