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RDCs Accused of Misusing Government Airtime

10 April, 2025
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Resident District/City Commissioners in Eastern Uganda have been accused of misusing government airtime that is provided by broadcasters.


The Uganda Communications Commission Act, 2013 requires radio and television stations to avail free airtime for Government public education programmes. According to the guidelines, the weekly one-hour airtime must strictly be used to educate the public on government policies, programs, and services, with political content prohibited.

The misuse of government airtime came up at a regional meeting for radio broadcasters at Akello Hotel in Soroti City. The meeting was organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Justus Akol the Station Manager, Continental FM in Kumi Municipality narrated a confrontation with a Resident District Commissioner over the use of government airtime. According to Akol, the RDC whose names he did not divulge wanted to use the free government airtime to promote the activities of a non-government organization. Akol says the non-government organization was actually willing to pay for airtime which was income for the radio station.

Peterson Hiirya of Teso Broadcasting Service (TBS) in Soroti City says that despite the guidelines prohibiting political content during the government airtime, with the political season setting in, many RDCs/RCCs are using the government airtime to politick. Hiirya wondered how radio broadcasters will manage the government airtime during the political season.

Daniel Baitwababo, a senior officer in charge of standards at UCC stressed the need for radio managers to take charge of their media stations by engaging RDCs on strict adherence to the guidelines on the use of government airtime.

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