Government returns CBS Radio’s broadcasting license after 14 years

The license was officially handed back to the station by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and officials from the Uganda Communications Commission.

CBS, which broadcasts from Bulange Mengo has been operating without this license since 2009.

The station was shut down for over a year, and its license revoked in the wake of the deadly Kabaka riots.

The riots broke out on September 10, 2009, when police blocked a delegation representing the Buganda kingdom from visiting Kayunga district.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi ii was planning the visit for National Youth Day, two days later. Leaders of the Banyala ethnic group in Kayunga, who reject the Kabaka authority, opposed the visit.

The government forces react fiercely to the riots, killing over 40 people according to the Human Rights Watch.

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While handing back the broadcasting license, Minister Baryomunsi said the relationship between Buganda and the central government has greatly improved since 2009.

“As you know, 14 years ago we had a problem with CBS and we shut it down and took its license. We nonetheless allowed it to be on air without the license,” he said

“I am happy to say that all the prerequisites we set for the station have been met and so now we are handing back their license to carry on with their work,” he said.

The minister also commended the station for the complementary service the station is rendering to develop the people of Buganda and Uganda as a whole.

In the negotiations leading to the reopening of CBS in 2010, the government set stringent requirements which included among others, apologising to the government “through the Broadcasting Council”, relocating its studio from the Kabaka’s palace (Bulange), withdrawing the court case brought by employees against the government, dismissing journalists and presenters who allegedly participated in inciting the September riots, and following the minimum broadcasting standards.