Eastern Equatoria shuts down a community Radio in Kapoeta

By Ruot George

Singaita F.M, a community radio station in Kapoeta county of Eastern Equatoria state was shut down last week by the Eastern Equatoria State government.

The shutdown was allegedly directed by the state Minister of Information Patrick Oting over “misbehavior” by the station management.

Oting accused the station manager of refusing to cooperate with the state government.

 “The station manager has gone out of conduct of business,” Oting told Juba Echo by phone.

 “There was misbehavior on the director on ground, she has gone to the extent of not picking up my calls and have been telling me that if you want let me come and close the radio”

According to the Radio Station Manager, Losike Evelyn, the State reached the decision without prior notice.

“National security attached to the station just lock the doors of the station and we don’t know the reason for the trigger of their action,” Evelyn said.

The union of Journalists in a press release over the weekend said it’s in contact with state authorities in Torit to negotiate the re-opening of the radio station.

“UJOSS urges Eastern Equatoria State authorities to speed up the process of resolving the disagreement with the management of Singaita 88.3FM so that the radio station is back on air to provide the communities with vital information,” the union said in a statement issued by its President Oyet Patrick Charles.

“Singaita 88.3FM serves not only the people of Kapoeta with vital information but also the pastoral communities in neighboring Uganda and Kenya.”