Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has requested the US-based Google to shut down at least 14 channels for allegedly mobilising riots.
In a written letter, the UCC claimed the channels were used to fuel riots in the capial city Kampala that resulted to massive loss of lives and property.
The riots in took place in November after the arrest of the opposition presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, who goes by the alias Bobi Wine.
The police said 50 people died and several injured during the incident.
The channels include TMO Online, Lumbuye Fred, Trending Channel UG, Uganda Yaffe, Uganda News Updates, Ghetto TV, Busesa Media Updates and Uganda Empya.
Uganda writes to Google, wants channel affiliated with Bobi Wine closed
Bobi Wine being led away by police officers [Photo: Courtesy]
A YouTube TV channel reportedly affiliated with pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine is among at least 14 channels forwarded to Google to be pulled down for allegedly mobilising riots following the arrest of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate in November 2020.
According to the
Daily Monitor, the government via Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has written to the search giant asking its video-sharing subsidiary to close
Bobi Wine 2021 for allegedly fanning violent protests that rocked Kampala, Jinja and Masaka on November 18.
December 16, 2020 Written by URN
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has written to American multi-international technology giant, Google LLC to block up to 14 Ugandan Youtube channels, accused of broadcasting messages that are likely to compromise the national security of Uganda.
UCC cites Ghetto TV, KKTV, Bobi Wine 2021, JB Muwonge 2, Namungo Media, Ekyooto TV, Map Mediya TV, Uganda Empya, Busesa Media Updates, Uganda News Updates, Uganda Yaffe, Trending Channel UG, Lumbuye Fred and TMO online as the YouTube channels that are broadcasting messages that are inciting violence ahead of the 2021 general elections. The cited YouTube channels usually broadcast live National Unity Platform presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi s aka Bobi Wine cam
Most of them have been live-streaming Bobi Wine’s campaign rallies.
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) says these channels are used to mobilize riots that resulted in the loss of lives and property in Uganda last month.
The channels also misrepresent information, views, facts, and events in a manner likely to mislead the public, UCC also claims.
“[They contain] extremist or anarchic messages, including messages likely to incite violence against sections of the public on account of their tribes and political opinions … [and] may compromise national security and cause economic sabotage,” states UCC’s December 9 letter to Google.
Bobi Wine however says the move by the government shows President Yoweri Museveni has “panicked”
Uganda Asks Google to Close 14 YouTube Channels Over Deadly Protests allafrica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from allafrica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.