Uganda Social Media users to register with the government for monitoring
The Ugandan government has tightened the use of social media in the country after announcing a new law that requires social media users who use videos to register with the government for state monitoring.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has received a backlash and accused of attempting to silence opposition parties and local critics of his 34-year rule.
The government has given social media users a one-month ultimatum to obtain the necessary authorization.
REMINDER TO PROVIDERS OF ONLINE DATA COMMUNICATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES
TO OBTAIN AUTHORISATION
The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) was established under section 4 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 (the Act) as the regulator in the development of a modern communications sector that includes telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications, postal communications, data communication and infrastructure.
In accordance with sections 2, 5 and 27 of the Act and Regulation 5 of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019, UCC is mandated to license, regulate and set standards for the provision of all communication services in Uganda, including radio communication and online broadcasting. Regulation of communication services is intended to promote and safeguard the interest of consumers, operators, viewers and listeners.
The purpose of this Public Notice, therefore, is to advise all persons currently offering or planning to commence the provision of online data communication and broadcasting services including but not limited to blogs, online televisions, online radios, online newspapers, audio over IP (AolP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), Video on Demand (VoD), Digital Audio radios and televisions, internet/web radio and internet/web television, to obtain authorisation from UCC before providing such services to the public.
All persons engaged in the provision of the above services are accordingly advised to regularise their operations by obtaining the necessary authorisation from UCC by 5th of October 2020.
For further information on this matter, please contact UCC located at UCC House, Plot 42-44 Spring Road Bugolobi Kampala and all UCC regional offices.
Dated this 7th Day of September 2020
Uganda Social Media users to register with the government for monitoring – Savannanews