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A YouTube TV channel reportedly affiliated with pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine is among at least 14 channels forwarded to Google to be pulled down for allegedly mobilising riots following the arrest of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate in November 2020.
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According to the Daily Monitor, the government via Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has written to the search giant asking its video-sharing subsidiary to close Bobi Wine 2021 for allegedly fanning violent protests that rocked Kampala, Jinja and Masaka on November 18.
The Daily Monitor on Tuesday reported that UCC is accusing Bobi Wine 2021 of “misrepresenting information, views, facts and events” alongside; TMO online, Lumbuye Fred, Trending Channel Ug, Uganda Yaffe, Uganda News Updates, Ghetto TV, Busesa Media Updates, Uganda Empya, Map Mediya TV, KK TV, Ekyooto TV, Namungo Media and JB Muwonge 2, contrary to Uganda Communications Act of 2013 and Regulation 8 (2) of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulation 2019.
The outlet noted that UCC told Google that it “monitored communication services, platforms and networks”, acted on complaints from the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force, among other stakeholders, and consequently wants a "review of YouTube’s operations in Uganda to end a further breach of the country’s regulatory and penal laws.
“Contains (content) extremist or anarchic messages, including messages likely to incite violence against sections of the public on account of their tribe and political opinions. May compromise national security and cause economic sabotage. Wherefore as the regulator of the communications sector in Uganda and in accordance with Section 5 (1) (b), (j), (x), 6 and 45 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, the commission hereby implores Google to block access to the following YouTube accounts," read the letter in part.
Read Also: Netizens react as Bobi Wine resorts to wearing a bulletproof vest while campaigning
Bobi Wine was arrested while on the campaign trail in eastern Uganda over claims he contravened electoral guidelines that require aspirants to address less than 200 people, sparking riots from supporters who accused the government of using measures to curb the spread of coronavirus as a pretext to clamp down on the candidate, who is seen as President Yoweri Museveni’s strongest challenger for Uganda’s top seat, ahead of the January 14, 2021, presidential election.
