SECTOR 3 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.3 (2010: 1.0; 2007: n/a) 3.3 The body, which regulates broadcasting services and licences, does so in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. Politicians and business people associated with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) own most of the country’s radio stations. “These stations play a very important role during elections.” In the run-up to national elections held in February 2011, opposition leader Kizza Besigye was blocked from going on air at a privately owned radio station, even though his party had paid for airtime. “If the opposition had their own radio station, perhaps they would be more effective in getting their message across.” A broadcaster on the panel said he found getting a license for an opposition politician was not difficult. “Issues arose at the Broadcasting Council (BC), but that was more to do with the way the office was run. First you had to go to the BC (for a broadcasting license) and then UCC (for a frequency license). The UCC struck me as the most efficient government department. Everything was straightforward. Yet you have instances where stations have been denied a license. Politicians try to block some licenses.” Government agencies are often selective in their application of the country’s laws. 46 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012