Uganda Threatens to Shut Down More Media Outlets for 'Inciting' Protests

By NICHOLAS BARIYO

KAMPALA, Uganda—Uganda's state communications regulator warned Tuesday that it is likely to close down more media outlets deemed to be inciting people protesting escalating food and fuel prices.
This followed the arrest Monday of Uganda's main opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, who was charged with riotous behavior and inciting violence after he was arrested while leading protests over prices.
Last week's order to Internet-service providers to block the use of Facebook and Twitter was just a "caution," according to Godfrey Mutabazi, the executive director of Uganda Communications Commission.
"We shall not hesitate to close others if they incite people," he said, adding that the regulator has already asked media organizations to be cautious of the danger of inciting protesters.
Tensions are mounting across the country, triggered by rocketing food and fuel prices. The government blames the food shortage on a drought late last year, which hurt yields of crops like corn, grains and cereals across the country.
The drought also affected major cash crops like coffee, tea and cocoa. Last week, Uganda's state coffee body revised the 2010-11 coffee production forecast downwards by at least 13% because of the drought.
The commission has already directed Uganda's local television and radio stations to stop covering the protests live, blaming the coverage for the escalation of protests in recent days.
Last week Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni warned that the government would step up a crackdown on protesters. At least four people have been killed in the crackdown, which has also left dozens injured, according to the Red Cross.
The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights urged the government Monday to stop using excessive force during protests and to guarantee people's right to freedom of assembly and expression, Uganda's state media reported Tuesday.Continue