UGANDAN GOVERNMENT AND THE BUGANDA CBS RADIO MOVE TO THE HIGH COURT, EACH DEMANDING TO BE COMPENSATED FOR RIOTS, VIOLENCE AND DAMAGES TO PROPERTIES.
Reports Leo Odera Omolo.
The Ugandan government, through its Attorney General, has moved to the High Court in Kampala and filed counter claims against the CBS, Buganda Radio station, which it closed down in September last year, blaming it for having incited the population to riot.
The government now wants CBS, the Buganda kingdom radio mouthpiece, to pay compensation for inciting the public to rise against the lawful authority.
The paper filed by the Attorney General’s chambers on February 12, however, did not state the specific figure of the amount of money the government is demanding from the banned radio station.
In a counter-claim, the Attorney General said CBS should pay the government an “aggravated damages for inconveniences caused as a result of {SBS} unwarranted acts”.
The AG, according to the state owned NEWVISION, was responding to a legal suit by CBS staff, seeking damages from the government for closing down the radio station, and depriving them of their livelihood.
An earlier tough condition, set by the government for the CBs to meet, before it is reconsidered for re-opening, which included among other things, the withdrawal of all the court cases filed against the government by its workers, seemed to have hit the rocks. On Wednesday last week, a High Court Judge, Vincent Zehurikize adjourned the case to April 20, and requested lawyers for both sides to try and find an amicable solution for settlement out of court.
The state in its counter claims says, “CBS repeatedly allowed or permitted its broadcasting license to be used for mobilizing and inciting the public to commit violence, and to rebel against lawful authority.”
Referring to the September riots in several parts of Buganda, the Attorney General accused CBS of “sowing seeds of hatred and preaching social cohesion by promoting ethnic prejudice, which culminated into lawlessness and eruption and escalation of violence.”
The violence, according to the AG resulted into disruption of business, the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
He described the suit against the government by the CBS employees as “Frivolous and vexatious “, adding that it should be dismissed with the costs.
Defending the government’s decision in closing down of the CBS radio station, the AG said since September 2007, the station had repeatedly violated the Electronic Media Act and other laws by airing inflammatory statements against the government.
The AG noted that although there had been numerous complaints, the CBS radio station refused to comply with the laid down regulations.
“CBS has on many occasions admitted to being in breach of the standard broadcasting, but has not done much to ensure compliance by its staff.”
The AG defended the actions of the Broadcasting Council of Uganda, saying it was carrying out its obligations to enforce standards which apply to all broadcasters.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com