The Minister of Information and ICT, Frank Tumwebaze has responded to the queries raised against social commentator, Charles Rwomushana by parliament.
Female MPs led by Lira District woman MP, Joyce Atim Ongom asked Tumwebaze to take action on Rwomushana over what they called insulting them.
But while responding to Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanya’s request to make a statement on the matter, he has informed the house that Uganda Communication Commission is investigating Rwomushana.
“I would like to inform the house that the regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission, is mandated by the Uganda Communications Act 2013, to monitor, inspect, license, supervise, control and regulate communications service which broadcasting. The regulator has independent power under the law to receive, investigate and arbitrate complaints relating to communication services and take necessary action,” reads the statement.
He assured them that upon receipt of the complaint, UCC commenced investigations and is currently reviewing the content of the program being complained about.
“The final report and actions taken regarding this investigation will be shared with me soon and I shall accordingly inform parliament.”
However, “It is important to note that Section 29 (a) of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 provides that the holder of a broadcast is not contrary to public morality. This means that the Commission can only take action against Broadcasting entities (licenses) and not the Guests they host directly,” he clarifies.
Though, any aggrieved party can seek redress in the courts of law against the utterances made by specific guest speakers if deemed defamatory or otherwise.”
