Justice Margaret Oguli- Oumo of the High Court today ordered the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to pay Dr Kizza Besigye Shs 80 million after the national broadcaster refused to run the former FDC president’s adverts in 2011.
Besigye had taken UBC to court seeking compensation for airtime he paid the television which declined to give him any platform.
In her ruling, Oguli-Oumo said: “I find that the plaintiff’s equal rights to media were violated during the February 2011 elections which he was entitled to as any other presidential candidate,” the judge ruled.
She ordered UBC to pay Besigye Shs 80 million at an interest rate of 30%.
She also ordered the state broadcaster to pay the costs of Besigye’s suit.
UBC’s lawyer, Anthony Ochaya, told journalists that he was confused by the ruling.
“I am a bit confused, because at first the judge said Besigye did not have any cause of action against UBC. I need to read the entire judgment before I comment,” Ochaya said.
In the suit, Besigye stated that he was discriminated against by UBC which by law is required to give equal coverage to all political players.
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