UCC boss warns on weaponising social media for blackmail

KAMPALA - The executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Nyombi Thembo, has warned against weaponising social media for blackmail.

This is after journalist Dean Lubowa Saava, the proprietor of the online platform TV10 – Gano Mazima, was recently convicted for unlawful broadcasting.

His conviction was after investigations established that, since November 2018, he had installed and operated a broadcasting facility without a licence issued by UCC, contrary to the provisions of the Uganda Communications Act, Cap 103.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday (March 6), the UCC boss said Saava’s story isn’t really about one man with a smartphone and a social media account; it’s about a much bigger problem—an entire business model built on destroying reputations.

In addition to operating without authorisation, Saava was found to have aired content in breach of the Minimum Broadcasting Standards. UCC had received a series of complaints alleging defamation, as well as the use of his platform to blackmail and intimidate public officials.

It's alleged that despite a formal directive issued by the commission requiring him to cease operations and regularise his status, Saava continued to broadcast in open defiance of the law, necessitating enforcement action.

An enforcement operation was then carried out at his premises, and he was later arrested and charged before the Wildlife and Utilities Court in Makindye in October last year.

He pleaded guilty to all the communications-related offences committed in contravention of the Uganda Communications Act, Cap 103 and other applicable laws and regulations

Accordingly, the Chief Magistrate of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, Gladys Kamasanyu, sentenced him as follows: on count one, to a fine of sh3m or one year’s imprisonment; on count two, to a fine of sh500,000 or one year’s imprisonment; and on count three, to a fine of sh500,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both.

In addition, Saava forfeited all equipment (exhibits) – 45 in number that were seized from the offices and studio of TV10 – Gano Mazima in Lungujja, Kyobe Zone, Rubaga, Kampala.

The forfeited equipment was to be disposed of by the UCC in accordance with the law.

Below are highlights of Nyombi’s statement

"This story isn’t really about one man (Dean Lubowa Saava) with a smartphone and a social media account. It’s about a much bigger problem, an entire business model built on destroying reputations.

Here is how it works. Someone launches sensational accusations against a public official or business leader. The claims are dramatic, emotional, and perfectly designed to go viral.

Once the noise grows loud enough, an agent quietly approaches the victim with a simple offer: pay money and the attacks stop.

That is not journalism. That is BLACKMAIL DISGUISED AS ACTIVISM.
And for years, the system thrived because many victims chose silence. Some were afraid. Others wanted the problem to disappear quickly. Paying seemed easier than fighting.

But silence only feeds the machine. There are others who make a living from the same playbook.

They study moments when public officials are vulnerable, especially during contract renewals or politically sensitive periods. That is when the accusations appear. That is when pressure is applied.

The goal is rarely justice. The goal is money.

But something important changed with this case. For once, the system pushed back. Instead of quietly paying or retreating, the accusations were confronted through the law. Evidence was examined. Confessions were made in open court.

And when the truth surfaced, the entire script collapsed.

This moment should serve as a warning to anyone running this kind of scheme. The era of weaponising social media for blackmail is coming to an end.

Authorities are already aware of several individuals operating within this network, and investigations are ongoing.

More importantly, this should also send a message to public officials, investors, and business leaders.

Do not suffer in silence. Do not reward blackmail.

When false accusations appear, document them. Report them. Confront them through the proper channels. Every time someone refuses to pay, the entire blackmail industry loses power.

Because the truth has a strange habit of surviving noise."