Closed radios not to open soon - Govt

Sep 15, 2009

THE chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Godfrey Mutabazi, has said re-opening of the suspended radio stations will only be discussed after sentiments have calmed down.

By Cyprian Musoke

THE chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Godfrey Mutabazi, has said re-opening of the suspended radio stations will only be discussed after sentiments have calmed down.

He said the council wrote to the affected radio stations, stating the reasons why they had been suspended.

“When we have to switch a radio off, we write indicating the reasons,” he said.

Last week, the council suspended two Central Broadcasting Stations (CBS), Radio Sapientia, Suubi FM, and Radio Two, also known as Akaboozi ku Bbiri.

The radios are said to have incited violence after the Government refused Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi to visit Kayunga district.

“When you are at war on the battle field throwing bullets, how do you bring peace talks? One thing has to be finished and you attain some calm before you proceed with something else’,” Mutabazi said.

Asked whether the affected radio stations had initiated contact to negotiate their re-opening, he said: “Some of them have called to say Hello.”

Mutabazi said the council was contemplating recommending to the information ministry that licensing new radios be suspended until the industry settles.

“Kampala is saturated with radio stations,” he said.

He denied allegations that there was a deliberate effort to limit the freedom of expression.

In his message on the council website, Mutabazi said broadcasting in Uganda had tremendously grown over the past decade and was the most popular source of information for about 90% of Ugandans.

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