UCC Warns Media Houses Against Announcing Their Own Election Results
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a strong warning to media houses in the country—do not attempt to declare election results on your own.
Speaking during a meeting with heads of various media outlets, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo reminded broadcasters that only the Electoral Commission (EC) has the constitutional mandate to release official election results.
> “We shall not allow any media house to set itself up as a platform to announce election results. The Electoral Commission is the only body with the full mandate to release official results—just like UNEB is the only institution that announces exam results,” Nyombi emphasized.
According to UCC, any media house that disregards this directive risks losing its broadcasting license.
Why This Matters
The warning comes as the country gears up for elections, where competition to be the first to break news is always high. UCC cautions that rushing to release unverified results not only misleads the public but also undermines the credibility of the official process.
Work With the Electoral Commission
Nyombi Thembo further advised media houses to maintain open communication with the Electoral Commission to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
He stressed that:
All announcements about results should strictly come from the EC.
Media houses should focus on relaying accurate updates rather than competing with the official process.
The Bigger Picture
This directive is part of UCC’s wider effort to ensure a smooth and credible election process, free from misinformation and confusion. By putting media outlets on notice, the commission hopes to foster responsible reporting and strengthen public trust in the electoral system.
