UBC Still Owes Besigye Shs80m in Court Award

The national broadcaster has not yet paid up over Shs80 million that the High Court awarded to Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former presidential candidate. This was disclosed before Parliament by Mr. Winston Agaba, the managing director of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).

This award was given in response to UBC’s decision not to air Besigye’s political advertisements during the general election of 2016.

Agaba was questioned over his adherence to the court’s order to pay Besigye when he appeared before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE), which was presided over by Medard Sseggona, the Member of Parliament for Busiro East.

“That money is directed in the debt. We didn’t pay him,” Agaba said.

Sseggona persisted in pressing Agaba to clarify that the debt stemmed from old documents showing Besigye had paid for advertisements via a third party, but UBC was told not to broadcast them.

He said he wasn’t sure where the directive originated, but that the Minister of Information at the time might have been the source.

Sseggona criticized UBC’s broadcasting methods, alleging political bias and banning Besigye from running advertisements, which he claimed may have an adverse effect on audience trust and revenue.

“It has an impact on audience because if you are going to broadcast on one side, those that don’t subscribe will not tune in,” Sseggona noted.