Gravity Omutujju (left) and Lil Pazo (right) have come under fire for their explicit lyrics, sparking a heated debate about the role of artists in society.
KAMPALA —The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed broadcasters to suspend the airing of songs deemed obscene and vulgar. The directive, issued Friday December 13 specifically targets songs by artists Gereson Wabuyi (Gravity Omutujju) and Yasin Mukasa (Lil Pazzo), including “Enkudi,” “Dooze,” “Okwepicha,” “Enyama,” and “Omunio”.
According to the UCC, these songs contain veiled words and statements that are not only vulgar and obscene but also have the potential to undermine the moral and cultural values of Ugandan society.
The commission’s executive director, Nyombi Thembo, emphasized that the directive aims to protect the public, particularly children and vulnerable groups, from exposure to indecent material.
“The UCC is mandated to regulate the communications sector and ensure that broadcasters adhere to the Minimum Broadcasting Standards and the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019,” Mr. Thembo said.
“The directive is not intended to stifle creativity or freedom of expression, but rather to ensure that the content broadcast on our airwaves is decent, respectful, and in line with our cultural values.”
Broadcasters have been directed to suspend the airing of the banned songs with immediate effect. They have also been instructed to suspend programs that involve discussions of the banned songs and to stop airing content that contains veiled words, actions, or statements deemed vulgar or obscene.
The UCC has warned that failure to comply with the directive will result in regulatory sanctions, including fines and revocation of licenses. The commission has also threatened to pursue criminal prosecution against individuals and organizations that defy the directive.
The move has been welcomed by some members of the public, who have expressed concern about the increasing levels of indecency on Ugandan airwaves.
“We are tired of being bombarded with vulgar and obscene content every time we turn on our radios or televisions,” said a one Joseph Mugambwa on X.
“We commend the UCC for taking bold action to address this problem and protect our children and vulnerable groups from exposure to indecent material,” explained Marion Namagembe.
However, others have expressed concern that the directive could stifle creativity and freedom of expression in the arts.
“While we understand the need to regulate indecent content, we also believe that artists should be given the freedom to express themselves without fear of censorship or persecution,” said another X user, Wilson Agaba.
“We hope that the UCC will engage with stakeholders in the arts industry to find a balance between regulating indecent content and promoting creativity and freedom of expression,” he added.
The UCC has assured the public that it will continue to engage with stakeholders in the arts industry to ensure that the directive is implemented in a fair and balanced manner.
In the meantime, broadcasters have been given a clear directive to suspend the airing of obscene and vulgar content. The UCC will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure compliance and take action against those who defy the directive.
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