WARNING AGAINST MISUSE OF AIRWAVES THROUGH WITHCRAFT PROMOTION

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is the regulator of the communications sector in Uganda. The sector includes broadcasting, telecommunications, film and postal/courier services.

The Commission has noted with concern that various media houses usually host witch doctors/traditional doctors who engage in discussions that promote witchcraft practice including concocting stories with the aim of confusing the listeners about their purported potential to create wealth or to cure several illnesses including HIV/AIDS.  Several members of the public have, according to Police, been defrauded based on the information aired by the media houses.

The media houses and the general public are hereby informed and reminded as follows:

1. Section 2 of the Witchcraft Act (Cap 124) prohibits the practices of witchcraft and a person who holds himself or herself out as a witch, whether on one or more occasions, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.
2. Section 305 of the Penal Code Act (Cap 120) provides that any person who by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtains from any other person anything capable of being stolen, or induces any other person to deliver to any person anything capable of being stolen commits an offence and is on conviction liable to five years imprisonment.
3. The Press and Journalists Act (Cap 105) requires that any information that is disseminated/published should be true and correct.

1. The Uganda Communications Act No. 1 of 2013 sets minimum broadcast standards and stipulates that all broadcasters shall ensure that their broadcasts are in compliance with existing Law.

The purpose of the said law is to protect the general public from being defrauded.

Accordingly, UCC hereby directs all electronic media houses to stop forthwith running advertisements that promote witchcraft and similar misleading information. Failure to do so will attract penalties and/or sanctions in accordance with the law.

The Commission would also like to advise the general public to desist from engaging in practices with such fraudulent persons.

Executive Director

Uganda Communications Commission

UCC House

Plot 42-44 Spring Road, Bugolobi

P.O. Box 7376, KAMPALA

Tel: +256-31-2339000; +256-41-4339000

Toll Free: 0800133911

Email: ucc@ucc.co.ug

Website: www.ucc.co.ug