UCC Archives

No Porn in uganda. Sites Blocked

Posted on December 10, 2018December 9, 2018 by Deborah

Have you tried out your favorote porn site lately, only to find it blocked? We know why. In July this year, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered all Internet service providers to block pornography websites on the Internet.

This has finally taken effect, and takes up some of the juiciest sites ever, like pornhub.com, xvideos.com and youporn.com

Quoting section Section 13 of the Anti-Pornography Act 2014, “a person shall not produce, traffic in, publish, broadcast, procure, import, export, sell or abet any form of pornography and anyone who commits such is liable, on conviction, to a fine of Shs10m or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.”

With this law in place, Ugandans are limited from sharing any material, that is considered as pornography. This includes nude celebrity photos.

Our sources report that only VPN users can be able to access these sites at their will. Not even OTT Tax can save you here!

UCC directs Telecoms to block VPNs

Posted on July 4, 2018July 4, 2018 by Desiree Miller

Godfrey Mutabazi the Uganda Communications Commission Executive Director has directed telecommunication companies to block virtual private networks (VPN) applications that are aiding Ugandans to evade social media tax.

The development comes after government put into effect the Uganda shilling 200 per day Over the Top (OTT) commonly known as social media tax at the start of the 2018/2019 financial year. The unpopular tax has triggered anger from Ugandans.

While some have resentfully paid it, others are evading it to access social sites using VPNs applications.

Now, virtual private networks enable internet users to use data bought from Uganda telecom companies but hide their Internet Protocol (IP) addresses which are distributed geographically and can be used to identify internet users’ location. People with VPN unblocked their social media sites without paying tax.

But, Mutabazi says telecom companies promised and are already blocking VPNs, adding that there are many VPNs, admitting that not all of them can be blocked.

He also argues that those who are going for VPNs instead of paying the social media tax are taking an unwise decision as they allegedly consume more data than the Uganda shilling 200 that is paid as social media tax.

The UCC boss said Ugandans should pay the tax instead of going for VPNs. “It’s a government decision it’s not a UCC decision. People should pay tax. It’s a law, if the government says pay tax, you should pay,” he said.

A constitutional petition challenging the tax is expected to be filed in court today.

UCC promises to crack down VPN users

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Desiree Miller

With many Ugandans now utilising all the existing loopholes to evade the newly introduced Social Media tax, especially through using Virtual Private Network (VPN), Uganda Communication Commission has vowed that the evasion will soon come to an end.

According to Ibrahim Bbosa, Manager Consumers Affairs, UCC, the regulatory body together with telecom companies, are building the capacity to track down VPN users.

Bbosa revealed that; “Despite many VPN apps being introduced almost every day, only two are beating our capacities. But soon we shall track them down.”

On Ugandans refusing to pay tax Bbosa said; “Taxes have never been a palatable issue in Uganda,” before adding that; “ It could have been a joke where people think that OTTS is about “wolokoso” but i could also supplement that with a joke, now that the government of Uganda is getting taxes from social media, then maybe we shall not be seeing the closure of Social Media.”

UCC Threatens Radio and TV stations Over Hate speech

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Desiree Miller

The Uganda communications commission, UCC has threatened to take action against radio and TV stations that support and promote hate speech, in the wake of a spate of murders in the country.

In a letter dated June 13th 2018, Fred Otunnu the acting UCC Executive Director noted with concern incidences where broadcasters offer platform to members of the public, to express views that are inciting, discriminating and stirring up hatred and violence against persons and groups in society.

“This platform is provided for in form of interviews, talk shows, or people calling into radio stations during live phone-in shows where presenters permit persons to promote views that express hatred, discrimination, stereotype against other persons and groups in our society on the basis of their political opinions, religion, tribes and offices” says Otunnu.

He explains that the trend has increased after the murder of Arua Municipality MP, Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga, who was gunned down in Kawanda on Friday June 8th by unknown assailants.

Mr. Otunnu warns that broadcasters have an obligation to sieve content that is likely to cause undue offence and breach of the minimum broadcasting standards as laid down in section 31 and Schedule 4 of the UCC Act No. 1 of 2013.

“The purpose of this letter therefore is to warn and remind all broadcasters to strictly comply with their statutory and license obligations, failure of which will leave UCC with no alternative but to invoke reguartory sanctions under section 41 of the UCC Act 2013 and/ or institute criminal proceedings against offending broadcasters at their own peril” he warned.

Uganda Communications Commission lifts ABS TV suspension

Posted on September 14, 2017May 3, 2023 by Deborah

UCC has lifted the suspension on ABS television, run by Revival Christian Church in Kawaala, Kampala by Pastor Augustine Iga. This follows after a series of meetings and agreements between the Television Station and the Communications Commission. The TV was suspended this year, after a series of warnings over the alleged broadcast of pornographic content.

Late 2015, Kaloondozi program on ABS, was suspended. This happened after the program aired naked clips of Maggie Kayiga, a gospel singer. The Uganda Communications Commission ED, Godfrey Matabazi stated,

We have decided to suspend the program as we investigate allegations of pornographic and invasion of people’s privacy. Failure for the TV to abide, we shall revoke its license and shut it down, period.”

It is also confirmed that last year in 2016, the television station was fined shs 25million and they decided not to broadcast any more pornographic content.

In September this year, UCC decided to suspend the broadcasting license of ABC television after repeated breach of minimum broadcasting standards. In a letter, Godfrey Matabazi again indicated,
In spite of several warnings and attempts to give management of ABS television time to review its programs, and avoid further broadcast of offensive programs, the station has continued to act contrary to the minimum broadcasting standards.
In a letter however,UCC has granted the television station another chance and opportunity in accordance with their laws.