Govt to settle NTV saga
Mar 21, 2007
Nation TV (NTV) may be back on air in two weeks time, the Prime minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi and information minister Kirunda Kivejinja told Parliament on Tuesday.
By John Odyek and Henry Mukasa
Nation TV (NTV) may be back on air in two weeks time, the Prime minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi and information minister Kirunda Kivejinja told Parliament on Tuesday.
They said the administrative and technical issues which led to the closure two months ago would be resolved.
The Broadcasting Council then said NTV did not meet the standards.
Kivejinja and Nsibambi were reacting to the report of the committee on presidential affairs which investigated the matter.
The inquiry was ordered by Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga a fortnight ago after MP Henry Banyenzaki accused the Government of frustrating the investors.
According to the report, NTV broke the rules because it did not notify the Uganda Communications Commission before testing its signals.
Okurut said they found no evidence that corruption and political interference led to the closure of the station.
The committee recommended that the information minister convenes a meeting of the communications commission, the Broadcasting Council and the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation to resolve any outstanding issues in respect to the licensing and operations of the television station.
The MPs also recommended that the Government should make a report on the issue within two weeks.
However, MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s recommendations, arguing that the station should be put back on air immediately as the Government sorts out its issues.
Cecilia Ogwal (Woman Dokolo) moved a motion urging the Government to put back NTV on air immediately.
Nsibambi pointed out that giving the Government inadequate time to deal with the saga would put the Executive in conflict with Parliament.
Banyenzaki (Rubanda West) moved an amendment to Ogwal’s motion, saying the Government be given two weeks to reopen the station, within which it must report to Parliament.
Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo) said the station provides employment to over 100 Ugandans and putting it off threatened their jobs.
Peter Ochieng (Bukooli South) said the station was put off on trivial reasons.
Nation TV (NTV) may be back on air in two weeks time, the Prime minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi and information minister Kirunda Kivejinja told Parliament on Tuesday.
They said the administrative and technical issues which led to the closure two months ago would be resolved.
The Broadcasting Council then said NTV did not meet the standards.
Kivejinja and Nsibambi were reacting to the report of the committee on presidential affairs which investigated the matter.
The inquiry was ordered by Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga a fortnight ago after MP Henry Banyenzaki accused the Government of frustrating the investors.
According to the report, NTV broke the rules because it did not notify the Uganda Communications Commission before testing its signals.
Okurut said they found no evidence that corruption and political interference led to the closure of the station.
The committee recommended that the information minister convenes a meeting of the communications commission, the Broadcasting Council and the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation to resolve any outstanding issues in respect to the licensing and operations of the television station.
The MPs also recommended that the Government should make a report on the issue within two weeks.
However, MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s recommendations, arguing that the station should be put back on air immediately as the Government sorts out its issues.
Cecilia Ogwal (Woman Dokolo) moved a motion urging the Government to put back NTV on air immediately.
Nsibambi pointed out that giving the Government inadequate time to deal with the saga would put the Executive in conflict with Parliament.
Banyenzaki (Rubanda West) moved an amendment to Ogwal’s motion, saying the Government be given two weeks to reopen the station, within which it must report to Parliament.
Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo) said the station provides employment to over 100 Ugandans and putting it off threatened their jobs.
Peter Ochieng (Bukooli South) said the station was put off on trivial reasons.