WAY FORWARD The way forward 1. What were the developments in the media environment in the last two /three years? Panellists were asked to highlight the main developments – both positive and negative - since the last AMB report. Positive developments 1. Internet access is improving: The speed of connectivity has improved and people are less reliant on Internet cafés for their Internet connection. The sector has become more competitive, prices have come down and infrastructure has improved. Phase 1 of the country’s Internet backbone is in place. 2. Media audiences are growing: More people are listening to radio and television. And the circulations for indigenous-language newspapers are growing. The latest media market survey showed that television viewership has shown the greatest growth of all media sectors. There are a lot more pay-TV channels, although most do not cover beyond the capital Kampala. 3. More people are using social media: According to panellists, 415,260 Ugandans had social media accounts by beginning of 2012. During the “Arab Spring”, Facebook usage in Uganda increased by 100 000 people.19 Mobile phone providers are now offering Internet packages that allow people to access social media. 4. More publications: New publications keep popping up. Some die, some survive. New entrants include The Sun, The Movement Times, and Farmers News. 5. The National Development Plan: Access to ICTs is one of the main pillars of the National Development Plan (NDP). This is significant not least because government expenditure is determined by the NDP. However, some panellists felt there was a lack of government buy-in to the plan. 6. No more sedition: The law outlawing sedition was abolished in August 2010. 7. Convergence of media regulators: The merger of the Uganda Communications Commission and Broadcasting Council should pave the way for more effective regulation. However, the law that, once passed, will define the work of the regulator, the Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill, does little to transform either the broadcasting sector or the regulator (see ‘Negative’ below). 8. Less space but louder voices: Citizens are still using the media to express their opinions on issues of the day, no matter how controversial these issues are. The print media is the main vehicle for this, although some radio and television talk shows also make a significant contribution. 19 http://www.socialbakers.com/facebook-statistics/uganda AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012 73