Uganda bans live coverage of opposition demonstrations

Ugandan officials have banned live media coverage of any protest against president Yoweri Museveni’s reelection.

Media outlets which go against this law could be switched off air.

Uganda’s main opposition party has been organising a series of defiance campaigns across the country and there are fears that this could lead to a popular uprising against Museveni.

Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1980 and was reelected in February after he garnered more that 60 percent of the votes.

His opponent Kizza Besigye had been arrested several times in the run-up to the election and remained under house arrest even after results were announced.

The Human Rights Network for Journalists acknowledged that although the increased repression is a reality, media outlets need to remain firm during such difficult times.

News Agencies