The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has filed a notice of appeal contesting payment of 80 million shillings that the High court awarded to former FDC presidential candidate Dr Kiiza Besigye as damages for refusing to run his presidential campaign messages in 2011.
On the 26th of February 2018, High court judge Margret Oguli-Oumo penalised UBC for refusing to play Dr Besigye's campaign advert messages which yet it had received 21 million shillings from him.
However, UBC through its lawyer Kiryowa Kiwanuka has filed a notice of appeal notifying the Court of Appeal of its intentions to challenge the said award, an order to pay Besigye a 30% interest on the said money and costs of the suit.
The 80 million shillings award stems from a suit that Besigye filed against UBC and it's former Managing Director Edward Musinguzi in 2012 accusing them of failing their contractual obligations when they refused to run his spot messages ahead of the 2011 general polls.
Even though UBC later refunded the 21 million shillings to Dr Besigye; Justice Oguli ruled that his equal rights to enjoy media as a presidential candidate were violated and henceforth she directed UBC to strictly observe the rights of all presidential candidates in future when it comes to media coverage.
Dr Kizza Besigye