Aine Siggy
A few months ago Next Media Services presenters including Kayz and Brian Wakko were at the centre of a legal row with faded singer OS Suuna.
Suuna had the pair even jailed for a number of days accusing them of defamation.
These had said that Suuna is a gigolo and a witchdoctor.
One could consider the Love yo singer as a revolutionary because it was because of him that UCC made drastic changes in the airing time and conduct of gossip shows.
For long, Kayz has bragged about how their show is unapologetic and can’t bow to anyone.
He even nicknamed himself the Michal Scofield of Kitalya plus saying that Uncut has even grown bigger since then.
The latest however is an order from UCC to the pair to swallow their words and apologize to Suuna.
The worst of this is that they will be the ones to host him and issue an apology live on air.
UCC now has decreed that Sanyuka TV should do the following:
Immediately retract the statements that were made against Os Suna during its program Morning Express that aired during their program. The retraction should be effected by broadcasting an unconditional apology to the singer during the same program. The station’s presenters should ensure that the apology is made with an equivalent degree of prominence and timing in accordance with regulation 12 of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations, 2019
Immediately provide space and time to the singer and /or his lawyers for him / them to appear during the same program and offer his side of the story in response to the allegations that made against him. This content should be made with an equivalent degree of prominence like the impugned broadcast
Immediately institute measures to ensure that all content broadcast during, the program Morning Express and all other programs comply with the minimum broadcasting standards and all other applicable laws.
In accordance with regulation 40 and 41 (1)(b) of the Ugandan communications (Content) regulations 2019, and with regulation 8(Sanyuka TV should,12) (d)(iii) of the Uganda communications (consumer protection) Regulations 2019 and item 12 of part II of schedule 1 of the Uganda Communications (Fees and Fines) (Amendment) Regulations, 202, S.1. No.66, pay to the communication a fine of USD 260 (US Dollars Two Hundred and Sixty) for distributing prohibited content contrary to the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019
In accordance with regulation 40 and 41 (1)(b) of the Uganda communications (content) regulations 2019, and with Regulation 8(12) (d)(iii) of the Uganda communications (consumer protection) Regulations 2019 and item 18 of part II of schedule 1 of The Uganda communications (Fees and Fines) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020, S.1. No. 66, pay to the communication a fine of USD 260 (US Dollars Two Hundred and Sixty only) for noncompliance with the minimum broadcasting standards
File with the communication evidence of fulfilment of all the above directives within a period of five (5) days from the date of this decision.
An excited Suuna shared the news on his social media handles thanking the Commission for doing a great job.
It’s waited to see how the station and it’s workers will respond to this move.
