• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

Uganda government to license online media as it moves to clamp down on social media publishers, bloggers

watchdog by watchdog
7 years ago
in News
2 0

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/90/81/2028190/web/wp-content/themes/jnews/class/Image/ImageNormalLoad.php on line 70

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/90/81/2028190/web/wp-content/themes/jnews/class/Image/ImageNormalLoad.php on line 73
ShareTweetSendShare

By our reporter
Uganda government shall in less than a month shut down any online outlet which has not registered with the regulator.
Online media platforms have been less than15 working days to seek licenses from the Uganda government if they are to continue posting their content, or face shut down, saying a notice from the communications regulator, Uganda Communications Commission.

“All online data communications service providers, including online publishers, online news platforms, online radio, and television operators are therefore advised to apply and obtain authorization from the Commission with immediate effect,” says a public notice in newspapers on Wednesday March 7, 2018.
“The commission shall, from the 2nd of April 2018, embark on enforcement activities against all non compliant providers of online data communication services, and this may entail directing internet service providers (ISP) to block access to such websites and/or streams,” says the directive.
UCC’s notice in newspapers directs that anyone who publishes online content should first get express permission from the commission. It threatens to order internet service providers to block any website which shall not comply.

Many observers say the government is seeking to trample on freedom of express and internet freedom since the government has no business in internet publishing.
Experts argue that whereas government should license radio and TV stations since there is need to regulate frequencies, but imposing a licensing on online publishing was absurd, and it doesn’t make sense.

A similar move in Singapore was summarized condemned by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders saying, “This measure violates the principle of media freedom enshrined in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which functions as an international standard for 160 countries even if Singapore has not signed it. The criteria used to define which sites need licenses are also highly questionable and are indicative of a desire to exercise prior control over news and information.

“The authorities are almost certainly trying to increase their ability to censor websites that cover local events and have a significant impact on public opinion.”
Licensing news websites would straight away limit the number of websites in the country since most media websites barely cover their operating costs.

For the time being, the licencing requirement was limited to radio, television and newspapers.
“With the influence of social media and online publications, the government must be panicking and seeking means to regulate the internet which is against international practice,” says social media publisher Kamada Lugemwa.


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
ShareTweetSendShare

Related Posts

News

President Museveni advocates for group-owned companies among artisans 

15th July 2025 at 22:59
News

President Museveni flags off reconstruction of Salaama-Munyonyo road, emphasizes accountable leadership and wealth creation 

15th July 2025 at 22:54
News

President Museveni rallies Kampala mechanics to actively embrace wealth creation efforts

15th July 2025 at 10:08
Next Post

Minister Namuganza: Speaker Kadaga wants to kill me

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1137 shares
    Share 455 Tweet 284
  • Silent Billionaire Bosco Muwonge Buys Mukwano Arcade at UGX 250 Billion Cash Down

    57 shares
    Share 23 Tweet 14
  • Who is Bosco Muwonge, Uganda’s elusive real estate billionaire?

    41 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2291 shares
    Share 916 Tweet 573
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    52 shares
    Share 21 Tweet 13
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

Pearl Tower Business Park owned by Uganda's richest man Sudhir Ruparelia is now complete.

A Tour of Pearl Business Park: Kampala’s Pinnacle of Progress and Prestige

16th July 2025 at 01:43
Mashable is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company For more queries and news contact us on this Email: info@mashablepartners.com

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is the undisputed king of Kampala

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0
Pearl Tower Business Park owned by Uganda's richest man Sudhir Ruparelia is now complete.

A Tour of Pearl Business Park: Kampala’s Pinnacle of Progress and Prestige

16th July 2025 at 01:43

Rotary New Year Launch Kicks Off with Grandeur at Speke Resort Munyonyo

16th July 2025 at 01:30

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda