The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has warned to arrest the operators of 17 unlicensed radio stations across the country.

This comes after Police in Kyotera District released three journalists who were arrested on Tuesday evening last week for working for unlicensed radio stations.

The journalists include; Badru Katamba of Crest FM, Hamid Nyonzimba of KY FM, and Angle Namata of Mpungu FM who were taken into custody during an intelligence-led operation conducted by the UCC in conjunction with local police.

Addressing journalists at Police headquarters at Naguru, Kampala, Ibrahim Kibuuka Bbosa, the Head of Public Relations and International Relations at UCC says these illegal radio stations are identified to be operating in the areas of Greater Masaka, Mubende and Luweero.

He says they have established that these radio stations have significant influence in these areas of operation yet they are not authorized.

He has further warned that they are intending to conduct a massive operation against community radio stations commonly known as “Bizindaalo” over noise pollution after receiving about 20 complaints from different villages.

Bbosa says all the equipment that will be confiscated will not be returned to the owners but instead will be destroyed.

By Ben Musanje

21 Oct 2024

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