SECTOR 2

The media landscape, including new
media, is characterised by diversity,
independence and sustainability.
2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print,
broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible
and affordable to citizens.
When assessing the accessibility of various media, panellists took into account
cost, distance, the language media publish or broadcast in, as well as the extent
to which media cater for people with disabilities.
With this in mind, print media is not particularly accessible. The cost of print
media is still high bearing in mind that many Ugandans earn less than USD2
(UGX....) per day. Most newspapers cost in the region of UGX1500 (USD0.60),
although the Luganda-language newspaper Bukedde, published by the New
Vision group in which government is a majority shareholder, has a cover price of
UGX800 (USD0.32). A loaf of bread costs around UGX 2000 (USD 0.80) and a
litre of kerosene sells for about UGX2600 (USD 1.04).
In a bid to protect sales, newspapers have introduced measures that may further
limit readership. Newspapers are now stapled in order to prevent vendors renting
out copies at their newsstands, while some titles now limit the content available
for free on their web sites or delay posting stories on the web. Having said this,
The Daily Monitor and New Vision now post breaking news on their web sites.
“What we publish (in the newspaper the following day) is a small bit of the actual
story compared with what appears on-line.” However, it was noted whereas The
Daily Monitor faithfully publishes breaking news, this is not always the case with
the New Vision, which publishes online news selectively. This is because the paper
wants to increase its print sales.
Since the last AMB, two new titles – The Sun and The Razor – have appeared
on the scene. However The Razor – was also launched, but has since folded.
According to the Uganda All Media Products Survey (UAMPS) carried out in late
2011 by research company Ipsos / Synovate, New Vision is the country’s most
popular newspaper, with 64 per cent of readers surveyed, followed by The Daily
Monitor (45 per cent) and Bukedde (44 per cent). The tabloid Red Pepper had a
33 per cent share of readers surveyed.
Panellists acknowledged that print media remains influential. “Most radio and
television stations review the print media. Therefore newspapers become the
main source of news for the whole country.” However, some TV stations are

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012

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