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Uganda vows to deport vulgar foreign artists

Jamaican dancehall and reggae performer Dexta Daps (inset) on stage in Kampala on December 13, 2024. Also in the photo are Ugandan musicians Vinka, Karole Kasita and Winnie Nwagi. PHOTOS/ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE

What you need to know:

  • UCC maintains that promoting vulgar material violates Ugandan laws and undermines the country’s cultural integrity.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the regulatory authority for telecommunications, broadcasting, and infrastructure services in Uganda, has vowed to deport and extradite international artistes involved in vulgar content.

 According to the UCC Executive Director, Mr Nyombi Thembo, there is a need to protect Ugandan audiences, particularly children, from explicit content.

 “I was shocked to learn that an event that unfolded over the weekend featured explicit content after I shared about it with a friend. The show was actually ‘sodomatic’ and Gomorrah-like, this incident highlights our need to further strict regulation of entertainment,” he said while addressing the media in Kampala on Tuesday. 

Mr Thembo added that they would work with intelligence teams to extradite vulgar artists, deport them, and hold promoters accountable. 

 The director further maintained the commission’s decision to ban vulgar content from local musicians Yasin Mukasa, alias Lil Pazo, and Gereson Wabuyi, alias Gravity Omutujju.

He, however, emphasised that the ban will only affect songs with explicit content, including enkudi, Dooze, and Okwepiicha. 

The crackdown on vulgar content has sparked debate over freedom of expression. 

UCC, however, maintains that promoting such material violates Ugandan laws and undermines the country’s cultural integrity.

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) executive director Nyombi Thembo. PHOTO/HANDOUT 

Mr Thembo said: “We are going to put up a system where it will only take, maybe three hours for a complying applicant to obtain a permit so I call upon other stakeholders to join us in this cause by supporting our efforts and reporting cases of violation.”

 Meanwhile, events promoters under their umbrella body United National Events Promoters Association have pledged effective compliance to regulations against vulgarity, demonstrating their commitment to promote family-friendly events.

 “We will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines our values or compromises the trust of our audiences. We recognise the importance of maintaining moral standards in the entertainment industry,” said Mr Juma Balunywa, the association chairperson.

Law

The Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Act cap 49 under Regulations 6(1) states that “a person shall not, without a permit issued by the commission, stage or exhibit a play or public entertainment. 

 In further intensified efforts, broadcasters of offensive content shall attract regulatory sanctions, including possible prosecution, revocation of licences and blacklisting of media house proprietors found guilty of non-compliance.