{"id":211943,"date":"2016-05-06T06:28:03","date_gmt":"2016-05-06T06:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=211943"},"modified":"2016-05-06T06:28:03","modified_gmt":"2016-05-06T06:28:03","slug":"uganda-bans-media-coverage-of-election-result-protests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/05\/uganda-bans-media-coverage-of-election-result-protests\/","title":{"rendered":"Uganda bans media coverage of election result protests"},"content":{"rendered":"
Uganda has banned live media coverage of opposition protests against the re-election of President Yoweri Museveni.<\/p>\n
The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has called for a “defiance campaign” against the 71-year-old leader extending his 30-year rule.<\/p>\n
Security forces have sealed off the home of its leader Kizza Besigye, who described February’s vote as a “sham”.<\/p>\n
The government says media organisations could lose their licence if they cover the protest.<\/p>\n
Those who cover the event on social media would also be punished, the head of Uganda’s Communications Commission said.<\/p>\n
Last week, a court ruled that what the opposition is calling a “defiance campaign” against the election result was illegal, but the FDC has insisted on going ahead with its activities.<\/p>\n
Mr Museveni’s victory was upheld by the Supreme Court in March.<\/p>\n
Media organisations have been told not to carry out live interviews with opposition members or show their activities in real time during their protests.<\/p>\n
Live television coverage has become a key part of the way political news is being reported in Uganda, says the BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga in the capital, Kampala.<\/p>\n
There is currently a heavy military and police deployment around the city in anticipation of opposition action, our reporter adds.<\/p>\n
Mr Museveni is to be sworn for a fifth term on 12 May.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Uganda has banned live media coverage of opposition protests against the re-election of President Yoweri Museveni. The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has called for a “defiance campaign” against the 71-year-old leader extending his 30-year rule. Security forces have sealed off the home of its leader Kizza Besigye, who described February’s vote as a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":211947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[107],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n