Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a stern warning to broadcasters and the public over the misuse of radio and television platforms to dispute officially declared election results, vowing decisive enforcement action against any media house found in violation.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, UCC said it has observed a worrying trend where unsuccessful candidates in parliamentary and local government elections are using broadcast platforms to make sensational and unverified claims challenging election outcomes.
The regulator reminded broadcasters that under the Constitution, the Electoral Commission of Uganda is the sole authority mandated to declare election results, and that any disputes must be resolved through courts of law within legally prescribed timelines.
“Broadcast media should not serve as alternative venues for litigating election disputes,” UCC said, warning that airing unverified results, parallel tallies or speculative allegations is unlawful and risks causing public panic, confusion and erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
UCC directed all broadcasters to immediately refrain from airing content that disputes declared election results without verification, including programmes that promote unofficial results or unsubstantiated claims. The commission said strict editorial oversight must be enforced to ensure that all election-related content is verified against official Electoral Commission sources.
The regulator cautioned that irresponsible broadcasting during the post-election period could incite unrest and damage Uganda’s democratic reputation.
“Broadcasting unverified election information may also incite instability and undermine national unity,” the notice stated.
Enforcement Action Looms
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the commission will not hesitate to take enforcement action against broadcasters who flout the law or existing broadcasting guidelines.
“UCC will take decisive enforcement action against any broadcaster violating these laws or guidelines,” Thembo said, urging media owners, editors and presenters to exercise responsibility and professionalism.
The warning comes amid heightened political activity following the 2026 general elections, with regulators stepping up oversight of media content to curb misinformation and preserve electoral integrity.
UCC called on broadcasters to play a constructive role in promoting national unity, democratic integrity and public confidence in Uganda’s electoral and governance systems.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
