KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has shut down Mawokota FM, a radio station broadcasting illegally on 94.9 FM in Kayabwe Town Council, Mpigi District, as part of an ongoing crackdown on unlicensed broadcasters.
The enforcement operation, carried out in coordination with the Uganda Police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), targeted the station reportedly owned by Mr. Ssali Umar, a local political aspirant.
When the enforcement team, led by UCC spokesperson Denis Okalanga, arrived at the station’s premises in Nabusanke village, they were met with resistance. A receptionist, identified as Namawanda Doreen, refused to cooperate or reveal the manager’s whereabouts.
Despite the standoff, a technical team located and switched off the transmitter, interrupting a live sports program. Inside the studio, presenter Mubarak Ssebuwufu, 23, informed officials he had been working at the station for only two months and was unaware of its illegal status.
Officials dismantled and seized several pieces of broadcasting equipment, including the transmitter, mixer, and a computer.
Ms. Namawanda initially resisted the operation but later admitted she had never seen a license at the station and suspected it was unlicensed. A security officer cautioned her that continued non-cooperation could lead to arrest.
Mr. Ssebuwufu was released with a warning, as officials urged him and others to verify the legal status of any media outlet before accepting employment.
The shutdown sparked concern among local listeners. One resident, Mr. John Mulasa, called it a “big loss” for the community, praising the station’s role in airing local announcements and promoting development initiatives.
Speaking to reporters after the raid, Ms. Namawanda revealed the station had been operating for nearly eight months and employed 13 staff members. She said her initial refusal to cooperate stemmed from fear and confusion during the unexpected raid.
Mr. Umar, the station’s owner, later confirmed the shutdown in a phone call with UCC officials and acknowledged operating without a license. He expressed willingness to resolve the matter through official channels.
The closure of Mawokota FM is part of a wider UCC initiative to enforce compliance with broadcasting regulations. In recent months, several other unlicensed stations have been shut down as part of the campaign, which applies to all broadcasters regardless of political affiliation or community popularity.
