By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Executive Director Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Hon.Nyombi Thembo has today January 8,2026, issued a directive to all Media houses including print, electronics and online media platforms on dissemination of election results and warned against non-compliance.
In his letter dated January 8,2026, addressed to all Media operators and copied to the ICT and National guidance plus other relevant ministries reads in parts:
“The Uganda Communications Commission (the Commission) wishes to remind all licensed broadcasters, operators of online media platforms and users of communication platforms in Uganda of their obligations under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, the Electoral Commission Act Cap 176, the Presidential Elections Act Cap 179, the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177, The Local Government Act Cap 138 and the Uganda Communications Act Cap 103, the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations S.I No.19 of 2019 as well as the Broadcasting Standards issued by the Commission.
“The Commission has in past electoral cycles observed instances where broadcasters and users of online digital platforms have declared or announced false election results purportedly originating from polling stations or other unauthorized sources, in total disregard of the applicable electoral laws in Uganda.
The letter continues to read:
“All broadcasters and users of online communications platforms are reminded that:
(a) Under the electoral laws of Uganda, the Electoral Commission is the only entity with the exclusive legal mandate to tally, declare and officially announce results from polling stations.
(b) Section 32 and Schedule 4 of the Uganda Communications Act Cap 103 and the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019 prohibit broadcasters and users of communication platforms from broadcasting content that is not in compliance with the law.
“In accordance with its mandate under sections 5(1), 32, 45 and 49 of the Uganda Communications Act Cap 103 and Regulations of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019, and in order to protect the public against the risk associated with premature or unauthorised declaration of results, the Commission hereby DIRECTS all broadcasters, including TELEVISIONS, RADIOS and ONLINE DATA COMMUNICATION SERVICE providers and individual users of online communication platforms as follows:
- Prohibition of Declaration of results
(1) All broadcasters are strictly prohibited from declaring, announcing, publishing, or projecting election results from polling stations or any other source other than the Electoral Commission.
(2) Where a broadcaster decides to broadcast election results that have been officially declared and published by the Electoral Commission:
- The broadcaster must ensure that the results are accurately presented to the public as they appear on the official declaration form issued by the Electoral Commission.
(b) The broadcaster must keep a copy of the declaration form for each election result reported to the public or an audio-visual recording of the returning officer declaring the results.
(c) The broadcaster must at the end of every presentation of election results remind listeners andviewers that the results that have been announced are based on official records obtained from the Electoral Commission.
(3) The Commission reserves the right to require the broadcaster to furnish it with a copy of all election results that were broadcast by a broadcaster on its media platform.
- Avoidance of speculative or projected results
All broadcasters shall refrain from:
(a) Broadcasting or announcing on their media platform(s) any projected, parallel unofficial results.
(b) Broadcasting tallies attributed to political parties, agents of political actors, civil society organisation or individuals.
(c) Broadcasting results based on reports by random callers or unofficial reporters.
- Permissible Election coverage
(1) In accordance with the obligation to inform and sensitize the public about their civic rights and duties, broadcasters may publish news reports, or hold discussions on the electoral process by:
(a) Providing factual updates on voting, counting and tallying procedures.
(b) Reporting statements or press releases formally issued by the Electoral Commission or its authorised officials.
(c) Conducting voter education and issue-based discussions, provided that these shall not entail any declaration of results or presentation of biased or inaccurate views and opinions.
(2) For purposes of balancing views and opinions regarding the electoral process, broadcasters shall ensure that any commentaries by a broadcaster, whether the comments are made by the presenter or any person invited by the broadcaster shall be presented in a manner that clearly indicates that they are based on facts which are clearly stated.
(3) Broadcasters shall ensure that all stories, reports or discussions about the electoral process are accurate, impartial, responsible, and non-inflammatory.
(4) Broadcasters should ensure that in conducting discussions regarding elections, political parties and related issues, the broadcaster shall afford reasonable opportunity for people from diverse political parties and backgrounds to objectively share their views and opinions based on facts.
- Online media platforms users
Users of online media platforms, including social media account users, administrators of social media groups and hosts of regular public discussions on social media platforms are reminded that the standards and directives stated above apply to their actions while using online public communication platforms and should note that:
(a) Publication, posting and forwarding of any inflammatory, inaccurate, misleading, false or fake information is criminal under the Computer Misuse Act Cap 97.
(b) Social media account managers should moderate the behaviours of their group members to ensure that prohibited content is not disseminated on the group.
- Compliance and sanction
All broadcasters and users of online communications services are reminded that failure to comply with this Directive shall constitute a breach of the law and broadcasting standards and may attract administrative and legal sanctions, including warnings, fines, suspension of broadcasts, or prosecution and other appropriate measures in accordance with the Uganda Communications Act and related laws.
- Dissemination
All broadcasters are directed to disseminate this guidance to their editorial, programming, and on-air staff and ensure strict compliance throughout the electoral period.
- Authorisation and accreditation by EC
All broadcasters and online media platforms are encouraged to seek prior authorisation and accreditation from the Electoral Commission to facilitate seamless coverage and access to real-time updates and information from the Electoral Commission.
‘The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to bring this DIRECTIVE to your attention for immediate action.’
