Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has on Thursday afternoon issued an interim directive suspending NBS TV’s broadcasting license for 60 days for repeated breach UCC act by hosting Tamale Mirundi whose conduct and language has been questioned over time.
The popular talk show dubbed One on ‘One with Tamale Mirundi’ which has been airing every Tuesday morning is hosted by scribe Muyanga Lutaaya with presidential advisor on media affairs Tamale Mirundi as the guest.
However, this past Tuesday Mirundi became physical live on air when the host queried him how he acquired a land title in Buganda Kingdom, an institution he ridicules and undermines.
Titled “NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENSE” the directive from UCC reads as thus; “Reference is date to the above subject. Further reference is made to a Television program entitled “NBS EXTRA: ONE ON ONE WITH TAMALE MIRUNDI” which was aired on NBS Television on Tuesday 9th May 2017 at 9am.
NBS Television shall recall that on 30th November 2015, 5th October 2016, 10th October 2016 and 14th March 2017 the Commission cautioned and fined NBS for similar breaches of minimum broadcasting standards.
The Uganda Communications Commission is appalled, concerned and takes strong exception to the conduct and language used by the guest hosted Mr. Tamale Murundi during the said NBS EXTRA program of Tuesday 9th May 2017.
As NBS Television is very well aware, Section 29 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, provides for the duties of a broadcasting licensee and Producer. This Section provides specifically that the holder of a license or a Producer of a broadcasting station or disseminating apparatus shall ensure that what is broadcast is not contrary to public morality.
A review of the content of the subject broadcast by the Commission reveals that the actions and words used by TAMALE MIRUNDI during the above mentioned programme were contrary to public morality and aimed at promoting a culture of violence or ethnical prejudice which is directly contrary to the Minimum Broadcasting Standards as spelt out in Section 31 and Schedule 4 of the Act.
In light of this serious and repeated breach and in accordance with Section 41 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, the Commission hereby issues to NBS Television a written notice of sixty (60) days for suspension of television broadcasting license.”
