The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has suspended licences for 23 radio stations across the country over what was termed as promotion of witchcraft content.

Early this year, UCC warned radio stations against promoting witch-doctors through airing their adverts via airwaves.

According to UCC spokesperson Pamela Ankunda, the action was taken after the radio stations were found promoting and advertising witchcraft, aiding and abetting electronic fraud.

The affected radio stations include Metro FM, Radio 5, Nile FM, Kagadi Broadcasting Services, Emambya FM, Village Club FM, Radio Kitara, Packwach FM, Tropical FM, Apex FM, Bamboo FM, Ssebo FM, Eastern Voice FM, Eye FM, Victoria FM, R FM,Kiira FM, Tiger FM, Greater African Radio, Dana FM, Gold FM, Hits FM and Dembe FM.

However, when contacted, the management of Metro FM, one of the said radio stations whose licences has been suspended told the Nile Post that he has not been informed of that decision by the regulator.

“I have not received any communication to that effect despite seeing it making rounds on social media,”

Herbert Kiwalyanga, Metro FM’s program’s director told this website in a phone interview.

According to UCC, advertising and promoting witchcraft contravenes Section 2 of the Witchcraft Act (Cap 124).

However, Ankunda admitted that some radio stations have not received their letters but once issued, they are expected to go off air immediately, until further notice.

Section 2 of that law provides that any person who directly or indirectly threatens another with death by witchcraft or by any other supernatural means commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.