By our reporter
Last month, High Courtordered government owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to compensate former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye with shs80 million for failure to broadcast his campaign programmes in 2011.
Justice Margaret Oguli- Oumo ruled that Besigye was not accorded the air time he had paid for on UBC platforms during the 2011 presidential race and he was, therefore, entitled to damages.
In her brief ruling, the judge ordered UBC to pay Besigye sh80m as general damages at an interest rate of 30% per annum until payment in full.
She also ordered the state broadcaster to pay the costs of Besigye’s suit. The judge also directed UBC in future strictly observe the rights of all presidential candidates when it comes to coverage.
However, UBC has now moved to appeal against the court’s verdict.
The national broadcaster through its lawyer UBC through its lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka have filed a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal, making known of their intent to challenge the lower court ruling.
Besigye dragged UBC to court in 2012 alleging that he was discriminated against by the state media despite the fact that he had paid them money for the programmes.
He had filed the case against UBC and its former managing director Edward Musinguzi Mugasa.
He wanted to recover over sh21m for at least 200 airtime spots, which he said was paid to UBC through his agent, Big Ideas.
Besigye claimed UBC television and radio stations have a nationwide coverage in Uganda and as a result of which his campaign message was expected to receive nationwide coverage.
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