Uganda is not ready for digital migration

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) continues to be a threat to universal access and affordability of local TV signals under digital migration in Uganda despite the June 2015 deadline. Many Ugandans may forget about TV if UCC goes ahead to switch off analogue TV signals without readiness.

Set-up boxes are crucial for the move to digital migration but UCC has only about  ten approved vendors according to its Website for the entire country. The set-top boxes are still costly for an average Ugandan. Set-up boxes are between Shs 120,000 and Shs 200,000 depending on features. The average Ugandan may opt for DVD entertainment. If more Ugandans are off TV after final digital migration roll-out, some local TV stations may collapse since they rely on advertising revenue justified by their viewership base. When viewership is low, then advertisers may stop their advertising. What will happen to local TV stations that can not afford the expected high fees for their signal to be carried digitally?

The Communication Authority of Kenya recently shut down analogue signals over a row with NTV, QTV, KTN and Citizen. Many TV viewers in Kenya were affected. The incident gives UCC a number of lessons. There are still unresolved issues surrounding digital signal management between UBC and UCC.The Ugandan Company supposed to handle the signal has been alleged to be operating without a license.The process may end up in court battles.

The coverage of the digital signal is still limited to only about a 70 kilometre radius from Kololo.Retailers of set-up boxes are communicating the same. When will the entire country be covered? This leaves the rest of Uganda with the Pay-TV option which is costly. UCC has failed to push for a ‘must carry all free policy’ to force all Pay-TV firms to air local FTA channels even when subscription expires. The absent digital migration law would help address this. We will continue with Digital migration challenges as long as no law is enacted.

Ignorance about the migration process limits universal access. Gaps in public awareness have worsened the situation.UCC has not helped even with misleading Pay-TV adverts that seem to imply that the only way to receive the new digital channels is to acquire their decoder.

The option to use internet to watch TV after the analogue switch off  is not viable considering the unreliable internet coverage services in the country. It is true that flat screens TVs today have Wi-fi and almost each local Ugandan TV channel has a developed a TV mobile app. But how many can afford internet costs?

The other option to pick the digital signal is to use the integrated digital television sets that come with in-built decoders. Has UCC engaged Ugandan based TV manufacturers to explore the option?

Power is also another bottleneck to universal access of digital signals in Uganda.UCC needs to work with the private sector to develop alternative power sources. There are no battery or solar powered set-up boxes.

Access to information should be a right to the poor and rich. UCC should fully engage all stakeholders.UCC will deliver a lot if it fully engaged radio listeners’ and TV viewers’ clubs across the country. There is need to create a fund to ensure universal access of signals by availing set-up boxes to the poor at a subsidised fee or no cost. There is need for every Ugandan to advocate for removal of taxes on digital migration equipment.UCC must allocate more six months to run two sets of analogue and digital signals simultaneously.

Ivan .N. Baliboola

PR and organisational diagnosis specialist

nbaliboola@gmail.com

BEING IVAN's WIFE

Yes yes, pearl of the female race

Her beauty is smelt everywhere

Like the blue skies

In her, a stream of degrees flow

She wakes up early in the morning

She Fetches water

She Picks food in the garden

She throws all the food in the market

In the evening, she comes home with food paper cramps

She talks about how to roll paper cramps with Ivan the husband

She lives only two duplicates of her.

She sits in my eyes

And rockets to my moon

- Ivan Baliboola (2013)

 

 

 

 

 

Top 6 Ugandan PR Blunders -January crises 2015

January had less PR scandals. This article strictly offers academic insight meant to create awareness about crisis PR management. Therefore it should be used for educational purposes and not viewed as an attack on institutions or individuals.  It offers a professional PR insight into Crisis management in Uganda which is still a young profession. I hope that Lessons shared can better the PR fraternity in Uganda. I commend the inclusion of Best Crisis Management Award category in the PRAU Excellence Awards. PR Practitioners need to be fully involved in crises from the start.

1)         Uganda police officer allegedly beats up journalist with an electric cable

Local media reported about the Old Kampala Division Police Commander (DPC) Joram Mwesigye who hit the WBS TV cameraman Andrew Lwanga with an electric cable while on duty. This was during    a  protest march by youth activists under their organization Unemployed Youth. His camera was not spared either. The journalist was allegedly detained in a police cell after the incident despite the pain he was going through. It was after other journalists intervened that he was then rushed to a health facility. The incident pictures and videos went viral on social media. This caused public outcry. Uganda police was again portrayed as inhuman. The following day, journalists under their rights body, Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda (HRNJ-U) condemned actions by the DPC.Uganda Police leadership came out and publicly apologized to the media fraternity which was good PR. The incident raises questions on the type of training police officers go through and their disciplinary mechanisms. The Uganda Police force   spokesperson Fred Enanga said that actions of individuals cannot be tagged on the entire force. This was a reassuring positive message from the police.The DPC has since been arrested and arraigned in court over the incident which was assign of goodwill from the Uganda police. Some Kampala Lawyers pledged to offer free legal services to the battered journalist

2)         Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali publicly refuted Luke Orombi‘s alleged demon attacks.

The mighty man of God publicly disagreed with his former predecessor over demons . Recently, there were media reports indicating that retired Archbishop Rt Rev Luke Orombi claimed to have been attacked by demons at Namirembe. This was a wrong move on Ntagali's side to publicly disagree on a controversial issue. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali publicly opposed claims by Christians about the presence of demons and demonic attacks. Ntagali was preaching at the 8th West Ankole Youth convention at Bweranyangi in Bushenyi and said there should not be any more talk of demonic attacks and presence among Christians. Archbishop Ntagali’s responses caused mixed reactions among Christians. It was hard to confirm what Archbishop Ntagalis response meant. Did he mean that   there are no demons at all in the world? Or demons are just psychological?

3)         Katongole omutongole alleged sexual scandal.

The Bukedde Tv’s Full dose presenter Katongole was in news for alleged defilement. Katongole Omutongole organized a press conference to respond to the issue. He distanced himself from the incident. He also strategically came with his partner Titi.This brought more credibility to the story. He also explained that he was happily married with children. Katongole further explained how his wife means a lot to him and why she is still with him even after all the false defilement accusations.

4)         Katumwa alleged defilement

Kampala Businessman Katumwa was arrested over alleged defilement and locked up at Katwe Police station. He was later released pending investigations. The PR tactic he did was to get media to listen to his side of the story.

5)         Leaked Sextape of Robin Mweruka

There was a leaked sex video of allegedly Robinah Mweruka that went Viral on social media platforms. She reads ‘Agataliko Nfufu news’ and hosts ‘the Omuntu W’abantu show’ on Bukedde TV. The man in the Video was not allegedly her Husband. It raises issues of adultery and reputation damage. The reputation of her workplace and her personal image was dented.

Local TV anchor Sanyu Robinah Mweruka finally came out to speak about her sextape and rubbished the sextape as false. She has successfully cleaned her reputation and storm is no more. Police took over the matter. There is little you can do about a leaked sex tape. You either turn the sex tape issue into a PR stunt or   keep quiet till it is no longer a topic of discussion.

6)         Speculative rumours about Minister Frank Tumwebaze’s suspension.

Rumours were spreading fast on social media alleging that the Minister for Kampala and presidency Frank Tumwebaze was suspended .The government moved fast and reassured the public. The minister for security Muruli Mukasa clarified that the minister in charge of the Presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority Frank Tumwebaze, Tumwebaze was on official leave which would end on February 2.Minsiter Frank Tumwebaze  also communicated  the same  which calmed the situation.

Ivan N. Baliboola 

PR & organizational diagnosis specialist

nbaliboola@gmail.com

The author has worked with some of the most well-known and influential East African brands in construction, governance, manufacturing, healthcare, Insurance, fashion, supermarket, Insurance, cosmetics, and banking. He carries a wealth of experience in marketing, Public relations, crisis management, reputation management, organisational diagnosis, content marketing and social media. He is a proud Award winner of a prestigious Public Relations Association of Uganda excellence award. He has volunteered his life to addressing environment and health related causes. He is also a blogger, professional critic, and strategist. He has published over 300 articles through online and traditional media (newspapers and Magazines)

The writer assumes no responsibility for contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Your doctor should know about your health resolutions.

New year’s health resolutions are easy to make but tough to implement. If you treat health resolutions as wish lists then you will never have results. Your doctor should be involved in making your health resolutions from the start to be successful. You can not plan, start, and measure progress of health resolutions based on what other people want or what society wants. Some health activities may not be safe for you hence the need to check with your doctor first.

It is advisable to decide on your health resolutions after a general body check-up. Resolutions must also be specific. The results from the general body medical check-up are crucial in setting achievable health targets of .The general body check-up comes with the advantage of having an idea of your current health state and discussing with your doctor on how to proceed with your health in the new year.

Have strategies for success. Ensure resources are available to successfully implement the resolutions for example buy jogging shoes and get gym membership. Make your doctor part of the monitoring system by scheduling one or more follow-up appointments along the way. You could ask a loved to help you track your progress. There are many smart phone apps and other digital gadgets available for tracking weight loss and fitness. Ensure that your health resolutions are on daily “to-do list” and make them a priority.

 

Ivan.N.Baliboola

nbaliboola@gmail.com