Choice FM in Gulu closed By Administrator Editor Tuesday, 14 March 2006
Choice FM, a private radio station in Gulu, has been closed. The Choice FM program manager, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, says policemen, led by the Regional Criminal Investigations Officer, Vincent Ouma, delivered a letter from the Broadcasting Council ordering the closure of the station. The police gave the Choice FM staff 5 minutes to pack their personal belongings and leave the stations premises. Choice FM has been in trouble with the authorities in Gulu since February 28th, when it hosted three local politicians, Norbert Mao the elected Gulu LC5 chairperson, Walter Ochora the outgoing LC5 chairperson and Reagan Okumu the Member of Parliament for Aswa County. During the broadcast, the NRMs Walter Ochora traded barbs with opposition members and his main opponent for the Gulu district chairmanship, Norbert Mao, who later won the election. The opposition candidates harshly criticized local civilian and military authorities for alleged corruption and mistreatment of detainees. After the program aired, a local court issued a warrant allowing police to search the station's premises. Police confiscated audiotapes and disks and ordered the station to turn over a copy of its license, its programming policy guidelines, and a recording of the broadcast. The Program Manager, Martin Ojara, says he was unable to record the program because of technical problems at the station. Despite this, he was taken for questioning at the 4th Division Army Headquarters in Gulu and a day later was re-arrested by police and held overnight without charge. He was released after paying bail. He says he was accused of decampaigning the National Resistance Movement party candidates in favor of the opposition. http://www.simba.fm/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=6308&Itemid=2 _______________________________________________ Ugandanet mailing list [email protected] http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/ugandanet % UGANDANET is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. ---------------------------------------
