Uganda’s broadcasting industry is in shock after 23 radio stations were taken off air on Tuesday for not meeting broadcasting standards.
According to Uganda’s communications regulator, these stations have ignored warnings given to them in the past against using their platforms to advertise and promote witchcraft.
Speaking to local media, The East African, a spokesperson of the UCC, Pamela Ankunda, made reference to a public notice sent to the stations on March 27, 2014 which states “The commission has noted with concern that despite these several warnings your undertaking not to advertise and promote witchcraft and the public outcry against such misuse of the airwaves, your station has continued to advertise and promote witchcraft in contravention of section 2 of the witchcraft act.”
She said the other concern of the regulator was that the affected stations were allowing fraudsters to use their platform to trick people that they had magical powers for healing.
There are more than 270 radio stations in Uganda but due to competition and money many of these stations are forced to accept advertising from all kinds of people including herbalists and people trading in charms, a move the communications regulator has condemned.
