Kampala - Ugandan authorities have closed 23 radio stations for
"promoting witchcraft" and trying to con people out of money.
The stations' licenses were suspended after they had guests on air
who claimed they could heal diseases like HIV, Pamela Ankunda, the
Uganda Communications Commission spokeswoman, told dpa on Wednesday.
"The radios have been promoting witchcraft. People claimed on these
radios to cure diseases like AIDS and cancer," she said.
"These people have been fraudulently getting money from the public,"
she added.
"Their operations and licenses have been suspended until they are
able to assure the commission through writing that they will abide by
the minimum broadcasting standards," Ankunda said.
She said that Uganda has 292 radio stations, mostly privately-owned.
It is not uncommon for various religious leaders, self-proclaimed
prophets, and traditional healers in Africa to claim to be able to
cure HIV and other incurable diseases.