Jumia, SafeBoda, And 24 radio stations Banned

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a public notice ordering the immediate closure of 24 radio stations and 46 courier companies for operating illegally.

Notable among the couriers banned include Jumia Uganda and SafeBoda operating in Kampala.

According to Sections 26, 27 and 33 of the UCC Act, it is an offence for any person to install, operate, or otherwise provide broadcasting services and to convey, deliver or distribute any postal articles without license issued by the Commission.

“The under listed radio stations and courier operators have been identified as operating illegally during a technical inspection/survey conducted in the period June/July 2022,” UCC said.

UCC noted that in accordance with its mandate under Sections 5, 6, 21, 26 27, 33 (1) and 38 of the Act,  “the Commission hereby presents for public information the list of the illegal radio stations and courier operators that are not licensed and authorized to provide communication services in Uganda”.

Some of the notable stations mentioned included Adventist World Radio-Vine FM 92.4 located in Hoima, Africa Mindset 88.4 (Ntungamo), Bethel FM (Ntungamo), Bridge FM (Kyenjojo), Bukoto FM (Masaka), Dream FM (Ntungamo), Eil Shama (Tororo), Eye FM (Sirinko), Healing Church FM (Kyotera/Mutukula). Others include Ibanda FM (Ibanda), Kalungu FM  (Kalungu), Lwengo FM (Lwengo), Matsiko FM (Kyotera), Mayuge FM (Mayuge), Mpororo FM (Ntungamo), Ngabu FM (Bunyangabu), Rubanda FM (Kabale), Sabin FM (Bukwo), Terra FM (Kolokoto), Thunder FM (Ntungamo), Voice of Bukuya (Kasanda), Voice of Kyankwanzi (Kyankwanzi) and Voice of the Gospel (Lira).

Courier Services include the prominent Daks Couriers (Kampala), SafeBoda (Kampala), YY Coaches (Kampala, Arua and Mbale), Teso (Soroti), Divine Coaches Limited (Adjumani), BBC Transporters (Arua), California Bus Services (Arua), Elite Nile Transporters (Arua), Zawadi Services Limited (Kampala, Arua and Moyo), Deo Couriers Limited (Kampala), Swift Safaris (Bushenyi), Kalita Transporters (Fort Portal and Kampala).

Others in the courier sector included HMK Transporters (Gulu), Kwizera Executive (Gulu), Larem Safaris (Gulu), Ibabu Coaches, Avant Garde Distributors (Kampala), Delivery Guy (Kampala), Jumia Uganda (Kampala), Lunar Courier (Kampala), Matama Express (Kampala), Minute Man (Kampala), Oxygen Courier (Kampala), Quantum Express (Kampala), WK Impact Elite (Kampala), Yellow Pages Express (Kampala), Globex Express Couriers (Kampala), High Speed Couriers (Kampala), Guardian Coaches (Kampala).

It also had Modern Coast (Kampala), Hey Transport International Cargo (Kampala), Makizito Courier and Logistics Limited (Kampala), Baby Coaches (Kasese), Gateway Coaches (Kisoro), Roblyn Coaches (Kitgum), Comfort Bus Services (Lira), Felistar Bus Service (Lira), Friends Coach (Lira), Gaaga Coaches (Lira) among others.

UCC said the proprietors and/or all person working for the above listed illegal radio stations and courier operators are advised to immediately stop providing illegal services.

“The commission shall in accordance with Sections 6, 33 and 78 of the UCC ACT 2013 undertake countrywide enforcement activity against all illegal operators. All persons that will be found providing the subject illegal service shall be arrested, prosecuted and their equipment confiscated in accordance with the law,” UCC warned.

The public was also advised not to deal or otherwise transact with the above listed illegal providers.