Uganda Fines Radio Station After Gays Interviewed
365Gay.com,
October 4, 2004
By 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Kampala—Uganda’s broadcast regulatory body has fined
a radio station more than $1000 and ordered it to air a public apology over an
interview with gays seeking civil rights in the African country.
Radio Simba aired the interview during a program on
minority rights.
The Ugandan Broadcasting Council accused the station of
defying the country’s Electronic Media Act, which prohibits any broadcasting
that is contrary to public morality. It also said that Radio Simba contravened
Uganda’s Penal Code Act, which stipulates that homosexuality is illegal in
the country.
The program was “contrary to public morality and is not
in compliance with the existing law,” the council’s chair, Godfrey
Mutabazi, said.
Information Minister Nsaba Buturo defended the measure
saying Ugandans wanted to uphold “God’s moral values”. Buturo said that
the show in August had committed a criminal offence by telling listeners that
homosexuality was “an acceptable way of life”.
The two gay activists involved in the show would not be
prosecuted Buturo said, but “we are not going to give them the opportunity
to recruit others”.
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