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UCC insists on Free Airing of Presidential Addresses

11 April, 2025
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The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has asked broadcasters to continue airing presidential addresses at a free cost.


The call was made on Tuesday at a regional broadcaster’s meeting on compliance at Akello Hotel in Soroti City.

Rashid Kabigi an Editor at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) FM in Mbale City said it is frustrating that even when they offer government free airtime on weekly basis, they still get notifications from UCC instructing them to air President Yoweri Museveni’s addresses to the nation.

According to Kabigi, often times, the presidential addresses conflict with bookings of their clients where radio stations generate money.

On airing of balanced content, Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) FM Station Manager, Godfrey Kakungulu accused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of buying off airtime on radio stations leaving no space for the opposition to reach out to the masses during election time. Kakungulu asked UCC to take up the matter especially as the country goes into another election cycle.

Daniel Baitwababo, a senior officer in charge of standards at UCC says broadcasters should continue airing Presidential addresses saying they usually have a lot of information of national importance.

Tororo LCV Chairperson John Okea urged radio station managers to abide by the UCC order saying the President is a fountain of honor. According to Okea, the president wields a lot of power as was evidenced during the Covid-19 time.

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