Uganda: Broadcasting Council Chairman summoned over radio ban

Godfrey Mutabazi, the chairman of the Uganda Broadcasting Council, has been summoned to court on April 20 to explain the ban on open-air radio talk-shows popularly called bimeeza.

This follows a petition filed on January 19 in the High Court by Democratic Party supporter and Rubaga councillor, Church Ambrose Bukenya, which wants the ban on the bimeeza lifted.

Bukenya argues that the Government was wrong to ban the open-talk shows, saying it was intended to gag the public, which he called a breach of the freedom of speech and the free media guaranteed by the Constitution.

The bimeeza talk-shows were banned in the aftermath of the September 2009 riots that rocked the city and various towns in the Buganda region.

Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, who represented the petitioner on Wednesday, told High Court judge Vincent Zehurikize that there was need to cross-examine Mutabazi on the affidavit he swore in support of the ban.

He said it was necessary for Mutabazi to give court a detailed explanation as to why the talk-shows were banned.

Elisha Bafiirawala, who represented the Attorney General, opposed theapplication.

“The lawyer has not even told the court the areas on which to cross-examine Mutabazi. This is a blanket application and should not be allowed,” Bafiirawala argued.

However, the judge overruled Bafiirawala and set April 20 to hear the case.

“We also want him to come to court and tell where he derives his powers from. We believe the ban was illegal. This is a case of public interest,” Rwakafuuzi told The New Vision.

According to the plaintiff, Ugandans have had open-air radio talk-shows since 2000.

- 18 February by Hillary Nsambu and Andante Okanya

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Source: www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/710492 (accessed on 19.02.10)