×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Uganda: media attempts to block UCC

News
The Observer in Kampala reports that the Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda Chapter (HRNJ-U) has taken legal action against the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) regarding the switching off of unregistered SIM cards.

The Observer in Kampala reports that the Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda Chapter (HRNJ-U) has taken legal action against the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) regarding the switching off of unregistered SIM cards. Report by IT News Africa

HRNJ-U has reportedly filed a civil suit that seeks to declare the UCC switch off deadline of March 01, or any other deadline set without obtaining approval from parliament, inoperative.

The main argument put forward by the media organisation is that the UCC has not carried out sufficient public consultation, sensitization and awareness activities to justify the switch off writes the Observer.

Journalists have also argued that the SIM card registration process infringes upon on the right to privacy and freedom of expression because personal information is provided to private telecommunication companies.

James Kabajjo, Kiboga East MP and member of the Parliament Committee on ICT, is quoted as saying to the media, “I appreciate your efforts to advocate for the data protection law because it is important in as far as keeping privacy of Ugandans but the SIM card registration exercise that is ongoing is very important because it will assist government to detect illegal acts like terrorism.”