The Government of Uganda has issued a directive against broadcasters promoting or advertising stage plays and public entertainment whose organizers have not secured permission from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
In a letter to all the broadcasters in the country, UCC executive director, Mr Nyombi Thembo threatened regulatory sanctions against; “stage plays to include any tragedy, comedy, farce, opera, burletta, interlude, melodrama, pantomime, dialogue, prologue, epilogue or other dramatic entertainment or any part thereof, among others and public entertainment to include concert, animal or circus performance, waxworks, puppet performance, dancing exhibition, picture or art exhibition, games of skill or chance, acrobatics or other exhibitions of skill, professional wrestling and boxing bouts to which the public are admitted either gratuitously or otherwise”, that have not received permission from the Uganda Communications Commission.
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Advertisements of the said events were not spared, with the letter saying that any advertisements related to the said events require prior authorization from the Commission, as stipulated under Rule 9(1) of the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Rules 2019.
“This includes broadcasters who advertise such events across television, radio, online platforms, posters, billboards, or any other media. The Commission hereby directs all broadcasters that no advertising or promotion of any stage play or public entertainment shall take place on your platforms without the person or entity proving that they have acquired the requisite permit and the necessary authorizations from the Commission.”
To ensure compliance, broadcasters will now be required to submit monthly reports detailing the stage plays and public entertainment events they have advertised or promoted alongside the relevant permits that have been issued by the Commission.
“Any broadcaster found to be in breach of the above directive will be subjected to regulatory sanctions as provided for in the Uganda Communications Act,” Mr. Thembo said as he cited the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Act, Cap. 152 [R.E. 2023) and the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Rules 2019.”.
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