UBC has no money to relay AFCON

Ugandans risk missing out on watching Uganda Cranes playing in the Africa Cup of Nations after Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) failed to pay $113,500 (sh411m) to secure broadcasting rights.

UBC managing director, Winston Agaba, in a letter to the education minister, Janet Museveni, said they did not have the money to enable them secure free to air rights for the live broadcast of the African nations' cup finals from Gabon.

"Following our letter dated December 14, 2016, addressed to your office, we regret to inform you that due to lack of financing to cover the fees involved, we shall not be able to telecast the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 (AFCON) games which kick off on January 14, 2017," Agaba wrote.

He said they had managed to negotiate as members of the African Union of Broadcasters to secure broadcasting rights to reach the discounted fees (sh411m).

Agaba noted that the fees payable by members of African Union of Broadcasters to telecast the matches were 550,000 pounds while other countries were being charged 1.2m pounds for the same rights.

Agaba said the fees are out of their reach, adding that they had contacted the Information and Communication technology Ministry for help, but the ministry could not also help. He also copied UBC's concern dated January 11, to the finance ministry and National Council of Sports.

UBC's concern comes at a time when the national broadcaster has financial difficulties to the extent of failing to pay bills and workers' salaries on time.