By Spy Uganda
Kampala — The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a comprehensive directive outlining strict guidelines for broadcasters and online media platforms on election coverage, warning that any violation will attract sanctions under the law.
The directive, issued by the Executive Director of UCC, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, emphasizes compliance with the Uganda Communications Act and established broadcasting standards throughout the electoral period. It has been circulated to key government institutions, media regulators, and broadcast houses across the country.
According to the directive, all broadcasters and users of online communication services are required to strictly adhere to the guidelines. UCC cautioned that non-compliance constitutes a breach of the law and may result in sanctions ranging from warnings and fines to suspension of broadcasts or prosecution under relevant statutes.
Under the compliance and enforcement provisions, broadcasters have been instructed to disseminate the guidance to all editorial, programming, and on-air staff to ensure uniform understanding and strict observance during the election period.
A major highlight of the directive is the prohibition against declaring or announcing election results. UCC made it clear that no broadcaster is permitted to declare, publish, project, or announce election results from polling stations or any source other than the Electoral Commission (EC).
Where official results issued by the EC are broadcast, media houses are required to present the information exactly as indicated on the EC declaration forms, retain copies of the forms, and keep recordings of the returning officer’s announcements. Broadcasters must also clearly inform audiences that the results are based on official Electoral Commission records and avail such broadcasts to the Commission upon request.
The regulator further banned the broadcast of speculative, projected, parallel, or unofficial results. Media houses are prohibited from attributing tallies to political parties, agents, civil society organizations, random callers, or unofficial reporters.
In outlining broadcasters’ obligations, UCC directed media houses to focus on factual reporting of voting, counting, and tallying procedures, and to rely solely on statements formally issued by the Electoral Commission or its authorized officials. Voter education is permitted, provided it is conducted impartially and without declaring results or advancing biased views.
The directive also requires balanced electoral discussions, with any commentary clearly attributed and grounded in verifiable facts. Broadcasters have been reminded to ensure accuracy, impartiality, responsibility, and non-inflammatory language in all election-related reporting, while giving all political parties fair and equitable opportunities to express their views.
For online media platform users, UCC warned that publishing inflammatory, false, or misleading information constitutes a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act, Cap 97. Administrators of social media groups have been tasked with moderating content to prevent the spread of prohibited material.
Additionally, broadcasters and online media platforms have been encouraged to seek authorization or accreditation from the Electoral Commission to enable them to provide real-time election updates in line with official procedures.
UCC noted that permissible election coverage includes news reports and discussions aimed at informing and sensitizing the public about civic rights, duties, and the electoral process, as long as such coverage fully complies with the outlined restrictions.
The Commission reiterated that the directive is intended to promote credible, peaceful, and orderly elections, and urged all media practitioners to play a responsible role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
