UBC debtors named: WBS, Radio One, UTL, UCC

PIC: Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Board Chairman Simon Kaheru (right) and Head of Engineering Angelo Nkeza (left) in consultation with an official , while appearing before the Statutory, Commissions and State Enterprises Committee of Parliament

Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) has named its debtors. UBC has threatened to switch them off today (Thursday), if they do not meet their debt obligation. 

According to the list tabled to Parliament, some of the biggest debtors include Parliament   of Uganda (sh10b), UNI Group-FM Radio One and Two (sh1b), WBS television (sh400m), M&B Engineers (sh400m), Uganda telcom (sh314m), The Light Church Ministry (sh336), Uganda Communications Commission (sh220m).

Scanad Uganda Ltd (sh301m), Rural Financial Services Program (sh105m), Parliamentary Football club (sh120m Ministry of Health (sh135m), Ministry of Internal Affairs (sh109m),  Kaku Media Links (sh108m), Fireworks advertising (sh229m), Capital television (sh304), Channel 44 (sh188m), China Central Television (sh101m), Africa Online (sh150m) and many others.

Although the officials did not mention the nature of the transactions, UBC as a national broadcaster normally gets money from the sale airtime, leases and distribution of signals to private broadcasters.

"It is unfortunate that your innovation is limited to selling land. This is a lot of money, what plans do you have to collect it? Have you tried to consult the old team to find out where they put the documents? " Busiro East MP Medard Ssegona asked.

For years, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation kept the transmitters airing live Parliamentary plenary sessions on, knowing that soon they will be paid for the services.

But when the bill reached sh10b, according to the managing director, David Agaba, Parliament instead of issuing a cheque to UBC, produced agreements indicating that the services were to be offered for free.

According to the Commission, there were no agreements signed between the two to indicate that Parliament would in turn pay for the services.

While appearing before the Committee on commissions, state authorities and state enterprise (COSASE) last month Agaba complained to the committee that despite several notifications, Parliament had refused to pay the corporation for the.

"Unfortunately, just like any other company, Parliament owes us a lot of money and when we wrote to them, they said they are not going to pay because we have no agreement with them," he said.

MP Elijah Okupa, a former parliamentary commissioner tabled several correspondents indicating that there was no contract signed between UBC and Parliament over the deal.

"Don't expect any money from parliament because there was no any contract signed between you and Parliament that they would pay for the services. The Corporation signed an MOU and it was agreed that Parliament would not pay for the services," he said as he tabled the MOU.

When the team appeared again before committee, the MPs demanded whether UBC is still demanding for the money.

"We have officially tabled documents showing that the MOU we had with you had nothing to do with money. So forget about demanding any money from Parliament," deputy committee chair Anita among assured the team headed by the board chairman Simon Kaheru.

When New Vision asked Agaba what next, he conceded defeat but said the Corporation will continue negotiations with parliament.

"I know there were no contracts signed but we shall continue negotiating with Parliament," he said.

The MPs also heard that the Corporation has failed to collect about sh10b from other institutions and individuals due to lack of supporting documents.

The officials said most of the documents such as contracts, agreements and memorandums of understanding signed with the companies and individuals cannot be traced.

Agaba told MPs that although the information is in the system, the Corporation cannot collect the money without supporting documents.