President Museveni Directs Overhaul of UBC to International Standards, Funding Remains Hurdle
President Yoweri Museveni has issued a directive for the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to be revamped to match the quality and stature of global news networks such as BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera. This revelation was made by the Minister for Information and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, during a televised interview this week.
Minister Baryomunsi reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the state broadcaster but highlighted a significant obstacle: the lack of necessary financial resources. He stated that the President has consistently called for UBC to receive a minimum of Shs30 billion annually in the national budget to facilitate this upgrade—a directive that has not yet been fulfilled by the Ministry of Finance.
“The president is the number one citizen who religiously believes and watches UBC and he gave us a directive to elevate it to the level of Al Jazeera, BBC and CNN, but we are yet to honour that directive because it requires financial resources,” Baryomunsi said.
The push for reform comes against a backdrop of chronic underfunding that has plagued UBC and its signal distributor, Signet. Reports indicate that cash shortages and unpaid fees have periodically taken free-to-air television services off air, affecting millions of Ugandans who depend on the broadcaster. The corporation has also struggled with operational costs and maintaining critical, often outdated, equipment.
Parliament has previously echoed calls for enhanced government support, emphasizing UBC’s vital role in national information dissemination. Legislators have pointed to ongoing challenges, including obsolete infrastructure, remote site issues, and encroached properties. They have stressed the need for adequate funding to improve coverage, complete the digital migration process, and refurbish dilapidated studios and broadcast systems.
Despite parliamentary approvals for budget allocations aimed at upgrading equipment under earlier revitalization programs, implementation has been slow and inconsistent.
The reform agenda has been accompanied by internal changes at UBC. Last year, Minister Baryomunsi replaced several younger members of the UBC board with more senior figures, a move that sparked some debate about the trajectory and speed of the corporation’s transformation.
As the government reaffirms its ambition to position UBC among the world’s leading broadcasters, the central question of securing substantial and sustained funding remains unanswered, leaving the presidential vision yet to be realized.
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