The Uganda Communications Commissions (UCC) has today called on all Online Media Publishers (OMP) and Influencers to register with them to acquire a license that allows them operate in the digital space.
According to the government communication regulator, this will help them fight circumstances like inciting the public, misinformation and at times theft cases arise.
“Online publishers and influencers who have reached a capacity of sharing communication content and also using the online publication for commercial business are required to register with the regulator that is UCC,” says UCC Head of PR; Mr. Ibrahim Bbossa — as reported by the New Vision.
All OMPs which include; online news platforms, online radio and television operators and Influncers, have to pay USD$20 (roughly UGX73,900) to acquire a license to operate.
According to a report by New Vision, so far forty (40) online publishers have registered and received licenses to operate.
After acquiring the license, OMPs are expected to abide by the terms and conditions to be mindful of public morality and avoid promoting the culture of violence among the public.
Mr. Bbossa said with the growing entity of OMPs, “they realized it was important to register them so as they are mindful of the law and regulations as they publish their content to the public.”
He said Egypt registers only OMPs and Influencers with a following of 50,000 — that can publish their content online.
“In Uganda, it is different as we [UCC] took a different strategy as we are considering registering OMPs who use the online space for communication services, broadcasting services and communication content,” he said.
This is not the first time UCC has called on all OMPs to register for this licence. This begun way back in 2017, where a handful of them registered.
Article will be updated since all this is still unclear….
