In the meeting, several MPs said the different energy drinks producing companies were misleading people with adverts indicating that their products boost sexual stamina and correct erectile dysfunction.
For students in school, or work meetings and major events like conferences and seminars, these online platforms have become key in ensuring continuity of key engagements, bringing people together in a virtual world. As the World goes virtual, television stations have also tapped into the online audiences.
Through their lawyers of Ayigihugu and Company Advocates, the media houses challenged the government for maintaining trading licences for operating in and outside Kampala and running satellite connections. They argue that they already pay licences to the Uganda Communications Commission and subjecting them to another tax tantamount to double taxation.
The communications commission last week issued a deadline for Online Data Communication and broadcasters to obtain authorization from the regulator before continuing to provide such services. The directive targets bloggers, Online televisions and radios, Online newspaper platforms, and digital Audio platforms, which include both Radio and Television, among others.
The Ayivu county MP Bernard Atiku says even though regulation is necessary to stop impunity of social media parliament should examine the regulations and UCC needs to be summoned before the committee on Information Communication and Technology ICT to explain the measures.
The High Court Civil Division Judge, Lydia Mugambe will hear the consolidated suits filed by Uganda Journalists Association-UJA and city lawyers, Ronald Bwire and Henry Byansi.
Justice Lydia Mugambe of High Court Civil Division on Thursday says that the UCC's directive was illegal since it contravened with the journalists rights of freedom of speech, expression, publication among others enshrined in the Constitution of Uganda.
UJA petitioned the Civil Division of the High Court seeking a temporary injunction in the matter they are challenging UCC's directive to 13 media houses to suspend staff for allegedly breaching minimum broadcasting standards.
The telecom regulator was expected to respond to concerns raised by Uganda Human Rights Commission on privacy of individual data, blockage of digital services like internet and other rights violation involving technology and the media.
In a plenary session on Thursday chaired by Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said that as the world prepares to commemorate Press Freedom day on Friday, UCC is issuing draconian orders.
The consumers accused telecommunication companies of providing services like caller tunes without their consent and later charging them for the service.
