Point FM Shut Down in Mubende Ahead of Kyagulanyi Rally — Media Freedom in Question
MUBENDE, UGANDA — Tension rose in central Uganda this week after Point FM 105.1, a privately owned radio station in Mubende, was abruptly taken off air just days before a scheduled rally by opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine). The station’s equipment was confiscated by individuals alleged to be acting on behalf of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and other government operatives, triggering fresh concerns over press freedom and political interference.
❖ Raid on Radio Station
On the morning of October 6, unknown officials reportedly backed by security personnel entered Point FM’s premises and seized two broadcasting consoles, along with other vital transmission equipment. The incident occurred just hours before National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Kyagulanyi was expected to address supporters in the district.
According to station employees and management, no formal notice or warrant was presented during the operation.
“They stormed in, took our main consoles and left us unable to broadcast,” said a Point FM presenter who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We were simply told we had violated communication regulations but were given no specific details.”
The station is owned by Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo, MP for Lwemiyaga County and a vocal figure in Parliament known for his independent views.
❖ Political Context & Fallout
This incident has sparked sharp reactions from civil society groups, opposition leaders, and media rights advocates. With campaigning intensifying ahead of the 2026 elections, the timing of the shutdown has been widely interpreted as a deliberate attempt to stifle opposition voices and limit public access to alternative political perspectives.
“Silencing a radio station on the eve of a major political event reeks of authoritarian overreach,” said a statement from the Uganda Human Rights Journalists Network (UHRJN). “Media houses must be free to operate without intimidation or politically motivated disruption.”
The UCC has yet to issue a formal statement on the seizure, leaving legal analysts and press freedom advocates questioning the regulatory authority’s transparency.
❖ Media Under Pressure
Uganda has seen an increasing pattern of media clampdowns, particularly around opposition events. Several community-based stations have reported threats, fines, or license revocations in recent years.
“Radio is still the most accessible form of media in rural Uganda,” noted analyst Sarah Kyomuhendo of the Civic Rights Watchdog. “Silencing local voices disrupts democratic engagement and shuts out critical information from the grassroots.”
❖ What’s Next?
Legal experts argue that Point FM may seek redress through the courts or lodge a petition with Parliament’s Committee on Information and Communications Technology.
Meanwhile, the station remains off-air, with community members and listeners demanding accountability and a timeline for reinstatement.
As Uganda moves toward its next electoral cycle, this case could serve as a litmus test for how authorities balance regulation, media freedom, and political expression in an increasingly digitized landscape.
