Media watchdog confiscates equipment over TV licence
The charges against Dean Lubowa Ssaava, who serves as the chief of strategy at TV10 Gano Mazima, stem from his involvement in broadcasting activities without a licence issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Dean Lubowa Ssaava in the dock at the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife court, where he was sentenced to a fine of 4 million. (PHOTO BY MARGRET ZALWANGO)
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In a case exposing the consequences of running media platforms without regulatory approval, a journalist has forfeited all his broadcasting equipment and been fined four million shillings for illegal online TV operations.
The charges against Dean Lubowa Ssaava, who serves as the chief of strategy at TV10 Gano Mazima, stem from his involvement in broadcasting activities without a licence issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Lubowa faced three counts related to the unauthorised installation and operation of broadcasting equipment. According to court documents, between November 2018 and September 26, 2025, Lubowa and others allegedly operated an online TV station named TV10 Gano Mazima without obtaining the necessary licence. This act contravened Section 28(1) and (2) of the Uganda Communications Act Cap 103.
Additionally, Lubowa was charged with disobeying lawful orders from the UCC. Between August 23 and September 26, 2025, he reportedly ignored directives issued by the commission on August 22, 2025. These orders required him to stop broadcasting, retract statements made against complainants, including Alex Lutaaya Mukomazi, PostBank Limited, and Al Hajji Prof. Badru Dungu Katerega and remove contentious content. His refusal to comply constituted a violation of Regulation 46 of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations, 2019.
Plea barga and sentencing
During proceedings presided over by Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu, Dr Abdul Salam Waiswa, the prosecutor representing the UCC, said Lubowa had voluntarily entered into a plea bargain agreement with the state. The agreement outlined that the UCC received complaints about Lubowa’s broadcasts from several aggrieved parties. Despite being ordered to halt operations and address the grievances during a meeting on September 10, 2025, Lubowa failed to comply.
Waiswa added that unregulated broadcasting harms society by disseminating content that does not meet professional standards. He also pointed out that Lubowa’s actions deprived the Government of revenue through unpaid licensing fees.
Under the plea agreement, Lubowa reportedly expressed remorse and committed to legalising his operations by securing the appropriate licenses.
Acknowledging his role as a sole breadwinner for his family, the court agreed to mitigate his sentence. Lubowa was ordered to pay shillings three million for operating without a licence, 500,000 for broadcasting illegally, and another 500,000 for disobeying lawful orders. In default of payment, he risks serving a one-year custodial sentence. The magistrate further ruled that time spent on remand would be deducted from any prison term if applicable.
Confiscation of equipment
As part of the judgment, all broadcasting equipment used in the illegal operations, including cameras, microphones, sound recorders, mixers, flash disks, and computers, was forfeited to the UCC. However, two Apple laptops (a MacBook Pro and a slim Apple desktop) claimed to belong to Media Avenue Ltd will be returned upon proof of ownership.
Magistrate Kamasanyu on February 13, 2026, accepted the plea agreement, convicted Lubowa accordingly, and sentenced him based on the agreed terms.