Court orders UCC To Switch Back Analogue Television

Mengo Chief Magistrates Court has issued an interim order asking Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) to immediately switch back to analogue television

The order issued by Grade One Magistrate Moses Ntende Kagoda will stay in place until the main application filed by city lawyer Enoth Mugabi is heard and determined.

The order restrains Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) from interfering with the broadcasters transmission of analogue TV signals to the applicant the applicant Enoth Mugabi and generally whoever has been relying on analogue Television.

Ntende Kagoda said the   order equally permits broadcasters to transmit analogue TV signals to the applicant and the public pending the determination of the main application.

The Uganda Communications Commission mid last month started a phased switch-off of analogue television, starting with Kampala and areas within a radius of 60 kilometers.

Mugabi in his application to court stated  that he had been used to enjoying the free to air analogue signal transmission and the same should be switched back.

The switch off of analogue TV in Kampala and neighboring areas has led public outcry with TV user formerly used to free -to air-analogue channels crying out.

Many say they cannot afford the cost of decoders say they are missing out on their popular television programmes.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is one of the organizations that has protested the alleged hurried switch off of analogue system to digital.

The Magistrate in the ruling also allowed the National Association of Broadcasters join to join the suit by Enoth Mugabi to challenge the switch to digital TV.

Regarding the costs, the court said they will abide in the main judgment.

Uganda Communications Commission  has now the option of staying the same orders from being implemented by  appealing against  the  orders at  a higher court.