European Union expresses concern over UCC media directives

Dr Goretti  Nassanga (left) interacts with Chargé d'affaires, Sandra Paesen (right) as Danish Ambassador to Uganda, Mogens Pedersen (centre) looks on after the European Union round table discussion at Makerere University Main Hall last week. Photo by Juliet Kasirye

The European Union has said the disruption of live TV broadcasts of the proceedings in Parliament during the presidential age-limit debate, denied citizens access to real time updates of events as they unfolded.

The session later turned chaotic, prompting the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, to suspend over 25 MP majority from Opposition for three sittings. 

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, Mogens Pedersen, said despite the enabling law and the clear benefits, access to information on several occasions had been hampered.

Pedersen was speaking at a round table discussion on democracy and access to information organised by European Union and hosted at Makerere University main hall on Thursday.

Under the theme: Access to information in the digital era as an enabler for democracy and development, challenges and opportunities in Uganda, the discussion attracted university students, members of the diplomatic corps, journalists and members of the business community.

"European Union noted with concern the directive issued by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on September 26, warning media houses against broadcasting live feeds which in the view of UCC were inciting the public and likely to create public insecurity and violence," he said.

The Ambassador called on the responsible state agencies to respect the people's right to access information in a timely manner, a basis for informed engagement and dialogue on the matters of national interest

"In the recent past, we have seen examples of citizens being denied access to timely information on key issues of national importance for instance, when social media was shut down during and after the general elections of 2016", he said.

He said the union stood committed to defending the values of free expression and free media both online and offline.

Pedersen said that the support would include capacity building and protection of journalists under threat all over the world.

"In this regard, I want to inform you that the annual EU human rights defenders award was given to a colleague from Uganda Human Rights Network for journalists (HRNJ) in Uganda.

This was in recognition for HRNJ's determination to bring to the lime light violations against media freedom and to document cases of media practitioners being assaulted by both politicians and security forces", he said.

The Chargé d' affairs of European Union in Uganda, Sandra Paesen, said as people in the diplomatic corps, they were concerned by the chaotic scenes in Parliament.

Paesen said tolerance and strict adherence to democratic principles should be apriority of all the political players and all other Ugandans.

 "As European Union, our stand has remained clear, strict adherence to the fundamental freedoms of all the people, period". She said.

Magrate Ssentamu from Uganda Media Women Association, said capacity building and continuous orientation was necessary for development reporting by the journalists.

Penalists during the discussion included Nicholas Opiyo, from Chapter Four, Eshban Mwesigwa of Parliamentary Watch and Goretti Nasanga from Makerere University department of journalism and communication and 

Many of the panelists appreciated the role of social media in furthering democracy, but warned users against being irresponsible and trading falsehood on the platforms.