Uganda Broadcasting Corporation
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) is the public broadcaster network of Uganda. It was founded as a result of the "Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2004", which merged the operations of Uganda Television (UTV) and Radio Uganda. It started broadcasting on November 16, 2005.[1]
 | |
| Type | Television (since 1963) Radio (since 1953) |
|---|---|
| Branding | UBC |
| Country | |
| Availability | National |
| Founded | 8 October 1963 by Government of Uganda |
| Slogan | Inspiring Uganda |
| Headquarters | Broadcast House, 17/19 Nile Avenue, Kampala, Uganda |
| Parent | Uganda Ministry of Information and Communications Technology |
Launch date | October 8, 1963 |
Former names | Uganda Television (UTV) Radio Uganda |
Picture format | 720p (HDTV) |
| Affiliates | Magic 1, Star TV, Ugospel |
Official website | ubc |
| Language | English |
The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Act stated that the UBC should be funded by the levying of a television licence fee. Collection of a licence fee set at USh20,000 (around €8.40 or US$10.80) started in 2005. However, collection was subsequently halted by President Yoweri Museveni. There has since been pressure to reinstate the licence fee to maintain UBC's independence.[2] UBC operates the UBC TV channel and five radio stations.[1]
Until May 2011, Edward Musinguzi was the managing director. He was fired along with all of the governing board for "massive corruption" involving unpaid salaries, the sale of land owned by the corporation, and advertisements sold during the 2010 World Cup.[1]
Location
The broadcast studios and main offices of UBC are located at 17–19 Nile Avenue, Nakasero Hill, in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The geographic coordinates of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation headquarters are: 0°18'59.0"N, 32°35'21.0"E (Latitude:0.316389; Longitude:32.589167).[3]
Re-organization
When he assumed office in 2016, Frank Tumwebaze, the Information and ICT Minister, established an ad-hoc committee to look into the affairs of the broadcaster. The ad-hoc committee found that UBC was in debt and had too many employees, whom it paid poorly and utilized them sub-optimally, among other infractions.[4]
A team was set up to address the short-comings. The pay-roll was reduced from 525 to 349 people. To weed out the 176 who need to be let go, all 525 members of staff were instructed to re-apply, if interested. Those who opt for retirement or early retirement would be provided with appropriate retirement packages.[4]
The changes, which are expected to take effect starting July 2018, are projected to reduce the wage bill from USh4.5 billion (approximately US$1.25 million) annually to USh3.5 billion (approximately US$955,000).[4]
In October 2018, the company hired Maurice Mugisha, formerly "Head of News Production" at NTV Uganda, to serve as its new Deputy Managing Director.[5]
References
- Olupot, Milton (21 May 2011). "Broadcasting Corporation Managing Director Sacked". New Vision via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- Mufumba, Isaac (7 August 2006). "Uganda: Scribes Call for Reconsideration of TV Fees". Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- Google (24 April 2018). "Location of the Headquarters of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- Misairi Thembo Kahiungu (24 April 2018). "350 jobs up for grabs as govt restructures UBC". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- Agencies (12 October 2018). "Revamp: Uganda National Broadcasting Television poaches NTV's Maurice Mugisha". Kampala: PML Daily. Retrieved 4 February 2019.