news 16 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
UCC Declares Kalangala's Outdoor Megaphone Radios Illegal, Demands Licenses
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ruled that over 250 community megaphone radios, known as bizindalo, in Kalangala District are operating illegally without licenses. Officials warn of arrests and urge compliance with broadcasting laws amid local appeals for guidance and better telecom infrastructure. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/outdoor-community-radios-illegal-ucc-5392586
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has labeled all outdoor community radios, locally called bizindalo, in Kalangala District as illegal. These megaphone systems, numbering over 250 across the island district, violate Section 27 of the Uganda Communications Act, which mandates licensing for any broadcasting services.
UCC’s legal head, Dennis Okalanga, led a team last week to meet district leaders after the Resident District Commissioner’s office briefly lifted a prior ban. The devices broadcast local announcements, market updates, health info, sermons, and emergency alerts like pirate attacks on fishermen, but still require official authorization.
Operators like Richard Kirwaana and Taban Magidu highlight their vital role in remote island areas where smartphones and traditional radios are scarce. They aid community mobilization for immunizations, government programs, and provide livelihoods for announcers and technicians. Both expressed willingness to comply if properly guided.
Kalangala Town Clerk Barbra Nabunya noted that the council regulates via taxes, operating hours, and noise controls, suspending non-compliant operators. RDC Fred Badda urged UCC to sensitize residents first and improve network coverage before enforcement, as resources limit full crackdowns.
This echoes a 2017 UCC ban on bizindalo nationwide for legal breaches and noise pollution, yet many persist.
Source: Daily Monitor