The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has strongly opposed the Uganda Communications Commission’s (UCC) recent decision to ban songs by artists Lil Pazo and Gravity Omutujju, labeling the move as oppressive and a violation of fundamental rights.
UHRC Chairperson, Mrs. Mariam Fauzat Wangadya, condemned the ban, describing it as autocratic and detrimental to the artists’ freedom of expression and livelihoods.
“The recent move by UCC to ban the songs of some artists is oppressive, autocratic, a violation of their rights to freedom of expression and employment, and an unjustifiable attack on their livelihoods,” she stated.
Mrs. Wangadya emphasized that in a free society like Uganda, the market should dictate the acceptability of music rather than decisions by a few powerful individuals.
She also criticized the lack of clear criteria for determining morality, adding, “Who measures morality? We will resist attempts to turn our country into an autocracy.”
The controversy arose after UCC directed media houses to stop airing songs like Enkudi and Omunio, citing public complaints about their explicit content and perceived immorality.
While UCC defended its actions as a response to societal concerns, Mrs. Wangadya urged the commission to reconsider its stance, warning that such decisions could harm Uganda’s creative industry and infringe on artists’ rights to express themselves freely.
