UCC to Appeal Court Ruling on Suspended Journalists

By Max Patrick Ocaido

Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) is set to appeal against Court ruling that overturned their decision to suspend 39 journalists from 13 media organizations.

On April 30, UCC Executive Director, Godfrey Mutabazi ordered for suspension of the embattled journalists over alleged breach of minimum broadcasting standards during the coverage of the arrest of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi on April 29 in Busabaala.

However, last week High court Justice Lydia Mugambe, overturned UCC’s suspension of journalists saying it was “illegal” and contravened with the journalists' rights of freedom of speech, expression, publication. This comes after the leadership of Uganda Journalists’ Association (UJA) petitioned High Court.

The latest is that UCC lawyers led by Abdul Salam Waiswa will today (Tuesday) file their appeal against the High Court ruling at Court of Appeal on Tweed Towers. Early this month, officials from UCC and National Association of Broadcaster (NAB) met and agreed that embattled journalists step aside for 30days as investigations commence.