Banning vulgar music is illegal - Human Rights Commission

The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has disagreed with the recent decision by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to ban certain songs by artists Lil Pazo and Gravity Omutujju on grounds of immorality.

UHRC Chairperson, Mrs Mariam Fauzat Wangadya condemned the UCC decision, describing it as oppressive, autocratic, and a violation of fundamental human rights. 

She urged the reversal of the directive, citing its unjust impact on artists' livelihoods.

“An Attack on Freedom of Expression”

In a statement this weekend, Mrs Wangadya criticised the UCC’s move as an unjustifiable infringement on artists’ rights to freedom of expression and employment. 

“The recent move by UCC to ban the songs of some artists is oppressive, autocratic, a violation of their rights to freedom of expression and employment, and an unjustifiable attack on their livelihoods,” she stated. 

She argued that in a free country like Uganda, market forces, not a select group of powerful individuals, should dictate which songs are deemed acceptable.

UCC ordered media houses to stop playing popular songs like Enkudi and Omunio, citing public outcry over their explicit language and alleged immorality. 

However, Mrs Wangadya questioned the criteria used to measure morality, stating, “Who measures morality? We will resist attempts to turn our country into an autocracy.”

UCC Defends Its Decision

Earlier this week, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo explained the ban, citing societal norms and cultural sensitivities. 

During a press conference, Mr Thembo stated, “There’s public outcry about vulgar, offensive, obscene, indecent and distressing material... Songs and other creative works that contain words and statements that right-thinking members of the public consider to be detrimental have no place on our airwaves.”

The banned songs, which had gained popularity on social media, were described as a threat to Uganda’s moral fabric. 

Mr Thembo warned media houses of severe sanctions, including the revocation of their licenses, should they fail to comply.