UCC Clarifies Point FM Disconnection, Denies Political Motive

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has addressed the recent disconnection of Point FM 105.1, stating it was due to unresolved compliance issues not political interference.

Speaking to the media, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Mwesigwa emphasized that the station had received multiple written warnings before action was taken. “You can ask the management of Point FM before disconnecting them, we had written several times. They must have a copy of the disconnection order, which contains the details of why we disconnected them. They simply failed to resolve those issues,” he said.

While declining to disclose specific reasons publicly, Nyombi stressed the Commission's duty to treat all licensed operators as clients, making it inappropriate to air their issues in public. “Point FM is our client, and we treat every licensed operator as our client. Therefore, it is not proper to discuss their disconnection in the media, but they know the reasons,” he added.

He further assured that the station could return to the airwaves once management addresses the concerns. “Their licence will be renewed, and they will get back on air once they resolve the matters that led to their disconnection,” he said.

Addressing public speculation, Nyombi dismissed claims that the move was politically motivated or connected to the station's plans to host opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine. “Kyagulanyi is a presidential candidate, and we have no problem with any radio station hosting him. He is not an enemy of the state,” Nyombi clarified.

He reiterated that Uganda is a democratic country and that the UCC supports equal media access for all presidential candidates. “We encourage all radio stations to host every candidate and give them equal access to the airwaves. It would be wrong to suggest that the disconnection of Point FM is related to Kyagulanyi being hosted on that radio,” he noted.

Attempts to reach Point FM’s management were unsuccessful. However, the station had previously announced its intention to host Bobi Wine during the “Ensonga” talk show on October 4, with the plans reaffirmed live on October 7. The station was also listed as a broadcast partner for Bobi Wine’s scheduled rally in Mubende on October 8.