By Michael Odeng
Life Television has asked court to order Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to pay it sh1b in damages for disconnecting it from Signal Network (SIGNET) platform, despite a court order.
Life Television Limited wants UBC to pay the money together with SIGNET Limited and its manager, Godwin Jaime Byaruhanga.
Pr. Noah Magezi is the managing director of Life Television.
On February 4, 2021, the Commercial Court Deputy Registrar, Elias Omar Kisawuzi, issued an order restraining UBC or its employees, agents and any person working for it, from disconnecting Life Television from signet platform, pending determination of the case.
The order was issued in the presence of Counsel Allan Mulindwa representing Life Television and lawyer Hosea Lwanga, who represented the respondents.
Unfortunately to date, Signet has switched off Life Television, which, according to Magezi, is in contempt of court orders.
This prompted Magezi to file an application in which he wants the respondents to be penalised for disobeying court orders.
The application is scheduled for hearing on Thursday before Justice Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti.
“Signet is in breach of contract entered on January 1, 2016 and a court order restraining UBC or its agents from disconnecting Life Television from digital terrestrial television free-to-air programme,” Magezi argues.
In his affidavit, Magezi contends that Life Television continued making payments to the respondents through their bank accounts, mobile money and direct payments upon which receipts were issued.
An affidavit is a written statement from an individual, which is sworn to be true.
He, however, said on January 7, 2022, under the directives of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the respondents went ahead and disconnected Life Television from its digital channel, in total violation of the court order.
Court documents indicate that on July 7, 2022, UCC through their lawyer, Abudu Sallam Waiswa directed Byaruhanga to switch back Life Television and resume its content on Signet platform but he ignored.
Magezi says on July 19, 2022, he wrote to UBC, demanding reasons why Life Television was unlawfully switched off from signet platform, but he did not receive any response from its (UBC) management.
“The actions of disconnecting Life Television for non-compliance from UCC by the respondents when there was an injunction is illegal and in contempt of court,” Magezi purports.
The pastor, therefore, wants the respondents punished so that they can know that court orders must be complied with.
“The respondents have made the applicant suffer for a long time by losing customers and financial loss,” he claims.
