The Uganda Communications Commission has suspended Pearl FM (107.9 FM), a Kampala-based radio station, following allegations that it violated minimum broadcasting standards during its coverage of the Kawempe North by-election.
The decision followed after the station aired unverified claims of electoral fraud during its program dubbed Mpilidde Kamenya hosted by presenter Kalule Suleiman.
According to UCC, the presenter’s claims were not only unverified but also posed a significant risk to public order during a sensitive electoral period.
Pearl FM has been directed to suspend all broadcasting services immediately as investigations are ongoing.
UCC also instructed the station to submit a written representation addressing the allegations, along with proof of certification and registration for the editor, the presenter, and producer of the “Mpilidde Kamenya” program.
This is not the first time the station has faced UCC closure. In 2017, the station’s manager, Suliman Kalule, was ordered suspended over content deemed to threaten public security, and in 2019, its popular program “Inside Story” was scrapped following similar allegations of breaching broadcasting standards.