KAMPALA — Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has threatened to revoke the operating licenses of 30 radio stations across the country over non-compliance.
They are Hope FM 102.6, AA City Radio, Saviour FM, Biiso FM, Marantha FM, Crane FM, East Africa Radio, Radio North, Gulu FM and Enduhba FM.
Others are Radio Kinkizi, Kitty Fm, Kwania FM, Kyegegwa Community Radio, Kanungu FM, Radio Kitara, Mbabule FM, Village Club California —Kiryandongo, Elgon FM, Choice FM and Radio Kaaro —Kiruhura.
The list also includes Radio Revival — Mbarara, Radio Veros — Tororo, Sauti FM, Tembo FM, Radio Ssese—Kalangala, Palwak Radio— Pader, Unique FM — Kyenjojo, and Challenge FM — Pallisa.
In her letter to all broadcasters, Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo the UCC Executive Director says the UCC revised the licensing framework for the radio broadcasting sectors in Uganda and on the 2nd of June 2020, all existing radio broadcasters were advised to apply for new broadcasting licenses under the new framework by the 31st of July 2020.
“According to Clause 4.3(a) of the Uganda Communication Communications Spectrum Management Guidelines 2017 and the frequency assignment letters issued to all radio broadcasters, it is clearly stipulated that spectrum assignment lapses immediately the assigned party ceases to hold a valid broadcasting license issued by the Commission,” Eng Kaggwa Ssewankambo indicated.
UCC says the broadcasting licenses for the listed radio broadcasters expired on last year on 30th June 2020 and despite several reminders, including the public notice issued on 31st December 2020, they have to date not submitted their applications for licenses in accordance with the Uganda Communications Act 2013.
The regulator has advised the affected radio stations of adhere to the order within a period of 14 calendar days from the date of publication of the notice, failure of which would force it to institute sanctions without warning.
Some of the sanctions include withdrawal of spectrum frequency, revocation of broadcasting license, and confiscation of radio equipment and apparatus in accordance with Section 6 of the UCC Act.