Bullet in Own Foot: StarTimes Stab in Own Back as Their Customers Rise to Scoop Billions from Their Coffers Over Unauthorized Ads on Their Platforms

The rich Luganda language got adages which are always used to fittingly suit a certain terrible situation. One of them goes thus; Gyotega amaggwa gyebakugobera; literally meaning, that where you set a thorny trap is where your pursuers direct you upon that uninvited chase. Another one? It goes like; Ennyanja etta agimanyidde. This directly translates thus; the lake kills those with proven expertise of it.

The two proverbs above explain well, the conundrum in whose center, Star Dtv (StarTimes) comfortably set themselves in. But the same have returned after several years, to not only haunt them, but to threaten their brand and business standing in Uganda as well. It all started when the Chinese Company, just like many other foreign investor entities, tend to take Ugandans for granted.

Knowing them typical Ugandans and their laxity when it comes to fighting for their economic rights, StarTimes largely took this stance to their advantage. They freely started, and steadily maintained running averts of their own brand, onto all their subscriber Television Companies` screens for years. They would shamelessly, say on thousands of times, run their unsolicited and hence unpaid for scrolls on all screens of their customers.

“The above allegations, if proven, would be in breach of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013, Regulation 27 of the Uganda Communications (Content) Regulations 2019, Regulation 6 (2) of the Uganda Communications (Competition) Regulations 2019 and the Advertising standards,” Irene Kagwa Sewankambo, the ED UCC wrote to the Managing Director, Star DTV (Uganda) Limited on April 12th 2023.

The said allegations stem from a complaint earlier lodged with UCC, by some Television owners, going through their umbrella association of National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), on March 5th 2023. In turn, NAB registered the services of young but formidable lawyers of Muliko and Company Advocates.

In our investigation of this highly protected case which might bring StarTimes` brand cracking down like a pack of cards in just a wink, we learnt that the complainants` concern started with subscriber clients who complained that StarTimes was continuously advertising through scrolls on their different channel programs “without approval or notification to the owner broadcasters which illegal vice always affected the picture and broadcast quality of the television channels.

Setting our foot into the investigation, we approached StarTimes Uganda Ag. CEO August Bruce via his known telephone number. But all our efforts were in vain as he never replied to our messages. Nevertheless, the PRO Aldrine Nsubuga picked our calls, but he excused self from knowledge of the scandal, claiming he was on leave. He nonetheless promised to get back to us upon his return, a promise he is yet to fulfill.

However, our breakthrough was through Kenneth Kazooba, the Director – Media Content and Partnerships and hence, the line officer. In his response to ours, Kenneth mildly admitted to them having run on their subscribers` numbers without a pay. But in the email to our CEO Ndawula Stanley on May 24th 2023, he was fast to announce that the matter, which he termed a “misunderstanding” had been resolved via an “appropriate clarification.” He however fell short of naming who, of them and their subscribers, had misunderstood what!

StarTimes Response Verbatim

“Dear Mr. Ndawula,

Startimes appreciates your reaching out with regard to the said matter. Our knowledge is that, indeed, this matter was raised through UCC and has since been addressed appropriately. As far as StarTimes is concerned, this was a misunderstanding, to which we made the appropriate clarification.

We therefore, are not aware of any NAB member who is currently unhappy with this matter, or any other matter in our relationship. If there is any other matter yet to be brought to our attention, StarTimes will be happy to address it in our usual respectful and cordial manner. We thank you with kind regards; Kenneth Kazooba, Director – Media Content and Partnerships.”

The List of Registered Televisions in Uganda

Going deeper for starters, we understand that like to other providers who include Dstv, Zuku and GoTv, Ugandan televisions pay Subscriber fees through their nose, to StarTimes. These are almost all the sixty-five (65) registered stations which include; Ark TV, Azam TV, STV, Spirit TV, Boom Africa, Bunyoro TV, Bukedde TV 1, Bukedde TV 2, TV West, UBC TV, Urban TV, Top TV, Breakthrough TV, Excel TV, Family TV, Kingdom TV, HTV, Hunter TV, KSTV, B24, Kings TV/ Good News TV, Smart 24 TV, Planet TV and Ndejje TV.

Others are; Gugudde TV, Moon TV, Channel 44, NBS TV, NBS SPORT, Sanyuka TV, Tagy Television, Rest TV Uganda, Salt TV, Star TV, Bukalango TV, 3ABN TV, Uganda Catholic Television, Glorious TV, King TV, NTV, Spark TV, GTV, KBS TV, West Nile TV, Success TV, Wakiso Television / WTV, Bunyoro TV, BABA TV, Fresh TV55, HGH TV, BBS Terefayina, Life TV, Delta TV, ABS TV, Dream TV, Salam TV Ltd, NYCE TV, Manifest Media TV, Rite TV, Albayan TV, FUFA TV, TM TV, SKY TV, TBS TV, and Galaxy TV.

Whereas StarTimes can play down this possible scandal of the year, any, or all of the above-mentioned televisions can prove them day dreamers. In case the case before UCC gets home, URA is likely to join the game by claiming the unregistered revenue therein. The UCC letter winds thus; “WHEREFORE, in accordance with sections 5(1) (b), (i), (x), and 45 of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013, the Commission has commenced investigations into the above complaint and hereby requires the management of Star DTV Uganda Limited to: submit written representation in response to the above allegations, submit all the Channel Carriage Agreement executed between Star DTV Uganda Limited and other local television/ radio channels that are carried on the different STAR DTV platforms.” Watch this space…