Uganda's Private Broadcasters Refuse to Air Presidential Census Message Without Funding

Uganda - Uganda's privately owned television and radio stations have declined to broadcast a presidential message about the upcoming national census, citing a lack of funding.

This decision comes in response to a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which called for "maximum publicity" of the census at no cost to the broadcasters.

President Yoweri Museveni had recorded a video urging Ugandans to participate in the National Housing and Population Census, emphasizing its importance for accurate governmental planning.

However, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) argued that without adequate government funding, they could not comply with the directive.

The government has declared the census period, starting this Friday, a public holiday to encourage full participation in the 10-day exercise managed by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). The aim is to collect vital social and demographic data.

Despite the refusal from broadcasters, President Museveni’s message was disseminated on social media, where he called for cooperation with data collectors and stressed the importance of providing accurate information.

On Tuesday, the UCC reiterated its order for all local broadcasters to air the president's message throughout the census to ensure its success and reminded them of their obligation to provide the government free airtime during national events.

In a statement, NAB Chairman Innocent Nahabwe highlighted that while private broadcasters traditionally offer free coverage during national emergencies, they expect the government to fund pre-planned events like the census.

He pointed out that media outlets operate as commercial entities, incurring costs such as licensing fees, taxes, and staff salaries.

Nahabwe stressed that complying with such directives without appropriate funding would set a concerning precedent, leading to the association's decision to advise its members against compliance with the UCC directive.

This year's census is Uganda's sixth national count and the first to employ digital systems. The last census in 2014 recorded the population at 36 million, with current estimates suggesting a rise to about 45 million.

The standoff between the broadcasters and the government highlights the challenges of balancing public service obligations with the financial realities of private media operations.