Radio Rupiny, Wan Luo TV strengthen community bonds in Easter outreach

As Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Radio Rupiny FM and Wan Luo TV, sister platforms of Vision Group, joined Christians of St Augustine Church of Uganda Barongole in Lira city to mark the occasion.

The team, led by station manager Peter Labeja and comprising 15 staff, travelled from Gulu city to Lira to pray, give gifts, celebrate, and interact with Christians.

It was a lively and memorable celebration, with excitement among members of the congregation when the vicar introduced the staff of Radio Rupiny and Wan Luo TV.

Some congregants were seeing them for the first time, having only listened to them on radio or watched them on television.

Peter Labeja, the station manager of Radio Rupiny, said they chose St Augustine Church because of its unique role in transforming the lives of ordinary Christians.

He said the church is in the process of expanding its services to include building a hospital, conference halls, a guest house, and a supermarket, among others, to diversify its income while serving the community.

Labeja noted that the church’s objectives align closely with those of Vision Group and expressed confidence that the church’s vision would be achieved through partnership.

“As we celebrate 40 years as a multimedia powerhouse, we foster national unity, supporting community development,” Labeja said.

He explained that the church is located in the densely populated Ojwina division, which puts pressure on natural resources that residents depend on for their livelihoods.

Radio Rupiny Station Manager, Peter Labeja (L), greets the Vicar of Saint Augustine Church, Rev. Canon Moses Peter Ocwero, in his office. (Credit: Jackson Kitara)

He added that the church is also helping to transform the lives of young people affected by alcoholism and drug abuse through counselling and awareness on the dangers of substance abuse.

Patience Giramiya, also known as Trina, the promotions manager at Radio Rupiny and Wan Luo TV, said it is a tradition for the stations to partner with one major church each year, regardless of denomination, as a way of giving back to their audience.

She said many of their listeners and viewers dedicate time to follow their programmes and also support the stations through advertisements, announcements, and other engagements.

She noted that last year, they celebrated Easter with Christians of St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu city, where they cleaned the church and presented gifts.

Trina added that the outreach also helps to strengthen the stations’ visibility, noting that Radio Rupiny broadcasts on 107.2FM in Gulu city, 95.7FM across the Acholi region, and 98.1FM in the Lango region.

Rev. Canon Moses Peter Ocwero, the vicar of St Augustine Barongole Church of Uganda, thanked Radio Rupiny and Wan Luo TV for their support, describing it as a positive contribution to community transformation.

He said the church’s expansion project requires sh60 billion, adding that Christians had contributed sh33 million towards the cause in the previous week.

Ocwero urged Christians to avoid actions and words that destroy relationships, noting that repairing broken relationships is often difficult and costly.

He cautioned against behaviour that harms friendships, marriages, families, and communities, observing that even traditional, religious, and political leaders are often divided by such actions.

Ocwero further noted that the broken relationship between humanity and God led to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the process of restoration.