The Chief of Defence Forces –CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has discussion communication security with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) team led by the executive director Nyombi Thembo.
Although what has prompted UCC to meet the CDF over communication security isn’t known, the latter has been one of the controversial persons using digital communication platforms mostly X where he has glorified abductions and torture of supporters of opposition political party the National Unity Platform.
Gen Muhoozi’s controversies have sometimes forced his father President Yoweri Museveni to apologise on his behalf and on behalf of his government especially when he promised to attack countries such as Kenya.
However, people who have used equal measures to attack, ridicule or demean the four star General have faced it rough as many have been abducted, tortured, kept incommunicado and eventually arraigned before courts of law.
Edward Awebwa was sentenced to six years in prison a few days ago for insulting Gen Muhoozi, his father Gen Museveni and his mother Janet Museveni. Others such as Kakwenza Rukirabashaija have been tortured and later on arraigned in courts of law with visible torture marks.
Kakwenza has since fled Uganda for fear that his life was at stake because of his thoughts about Gen Muhoozi’s conduct. UCC is also known for being controversial especially during election times where it has sometimes directed the media houses to stop hosting some politicians or suspend some journalists on claims of biased reporting.
As the 2021 general elections gained momentum, UCC directed 39 journalists to be suspended on claims that they were inciting violence by giving live coverage to Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine’s during trial at Buganda road court.
The Defence Public Information Office (DPIO) headed by Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye did not provide details of what were the key discussions in the meeting between the CDF and UCC. DPIO only stated: “The meeting at the SFC headquarters in Entebbe focused on UCC’s operational strategies to ensure a secure communications environment for all Ugandans.”
DPIO indicated that UCC director Nyombi briefed the CDF who is also the Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations on current initiatives and potential collaborations between the regulatory body and security agencies.
DPIO said the meeting was attended specialists from various technical departments, “reflecting the comprehensive nature of the discussions which covered telecommunications, data communications, broadcasting, and infrastructure security.”
The commission serves as Uganda’s integrated regulatory body overseeing multiple sectors including Postal Communication, Radio Communication, and licensing of cinematography operations