Formation of the UBC is a gamble
Aug 09, 2005
SIR — There is excitement over the formation of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) under which Radio Uganda and Uganda television will be merged to form a competitive body. This could be a good development.
SIR — There is excitement over the formation of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) under which Radio Uganda and Uganda television will be merged to form a competitive body. This could be a good development.
It is worth noting that UBC will be fully controlled by government. The big excitement is for UBC to generate revenue and sustain itself independently. On average, the government, through Public Service, has been spending approximately sh60m per month for the over 200 members of staff on salaries, welfare and maintenance.
Reliable information shows that if the government fully pulls out, we shall see the end of the national broadcaster. On average, both Radio Uganda and UTV can only generate approximately sh8m per month. How will UBC sustain itself?
This is a big gamble. All over the world, government broadcasting corporations are sustained by government. Even in developed countries they do not compete for advertisements. In fact they do not advertise. The only solution would be for the government to equip both institutions with modern equipment.
The government should also continue to foot the salaries of UBC workers. Then UBC should only be allowed to use part of the little revenue they generate otherwise it will never sustain itself.
Failure to do this, we may in the short or long run will see Uganda as the only country without a government-owned Radio or TV.
There may be a small group who think they might benefit financially with the formation of UBC. But that is a selfish attitude.
Let us not sacrifice our country for selfish motives. It is worth noting that Radio Uganda and UTV have the best trained journalists in broadcasting.
They are the very people who have trained staff now working with private FM stations. Radio Uganda and UTV engineers have installed all equipment in private FM radio and TV stations. This manpower should be handled with maximum care.
Sam Nsubuga
Frankfurt, Germany
It is worth noting that UBC will be fully controlled by government. The big excitement is for UBC to generate revenue and sustain itself independently. On average, the government, through Public Service, has been spending approximately sh60m per month for the over 200 members of staff on salaries, welfare and maintenance.
Reliable information shows that if the government fully pulls out, we shall see the end of the national broadcaster. On average, both Radio Uganda and UTV can only generate approximately sh8m per month. How will UBC sustain itself?
This is a big gamble. All over the world, government broadcasting corporations are sustained by government. Even in developed countries they do not compete for advertisements. In fact they do not advertise. The only solution would be for the government to equip both institutions with modern equipment.
The government should also continue to foot the salaries of UBC workers. Then UBC should only be allowed to use part of the little revenue they generate otherwise it will never sustain itself.
Failure to do this, we may in the short or long run will see Uganda as the only country without a government-owned Radio or TV.
There may be a small group who think they might benefit financially with the formation of UBC. But that is a selfish attitude.
Let us not sacrifice our country for selfish motives. It is worth noting that Radio Uganda and UTV have the best trained journalists in broadcasting.
They are the very people who have trained staff now working with private FM stations. Radio Uganda and UTV engineers have installed all equipment in private FM radio and TV stations. This manpower should be handled with maximum care.
Sam Nsubuga
Frankfurt, Germany