UCC to appeal against injunction stopping it from suspending journalists
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is set to appeal against a High Court injunction that barred it from suspending journalists it claimed had breached minimum broadcasting standards.
The High Court in Kampala, on 23 May 2019 ordered UCC not to implement its order for suspension of several journalists over stories related to Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine.
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UCC in an April 30 communication had ordered 13 media houses to suspend 39 news managers, producers and heads of production as investigations into what they termed as violation of minimum broadcast standards were conducted.
In their application, journalists under their umbrella body, the Uganda Journalists Association sought for a temporary injunction halting the suspension of the journalists before the main application is disposed of by court.
High Court Justice Lydia Mugambe ruled that UCC's directive was illegal since it contravened the journalists' rights of freedom of speech and publication among others which are given to them by the Constitution of Uganda.
Justice Lydia Mugambe also wondered why UCC didn't report the accused media houses and journalists to police if they indeed violated any laws.
Now the Uganda Communications Commission, through its lawyer Abdul Salaam Waiswa says they are set to file an appeal against High Court injunction at the Court of Appeal.
He argues that if the injunction is left to stand, it will reduce UCC's powers to regulate media houses.
