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.
Uganda’s media landscape is very diverse, with numerous print and broadcast
platforms available, which coexist alongside increasing options for new media.
Print Media
The more popular print dailies, distributed nationally, include:
New Vision – a joint public/private newspaper with circulation figures of
31,000 and an estimated readership of 10 readers per copy.
Bukedde – a popular daily in vernacular.
Daily Monitor – a privately owned newspaper whose circulation figures
are unknown.
Red Pepper – a privately owned newspaper whose circulation figures are
unknown.
Hello (is part of the Vision Group and is distributed weekly).
Most of the papers listed above sell for 2,000 Ugandan Shillings (USD0.60), which
is less than the cost of a loaf of bread which sells for 3,500 shillings (USD1.04):
many consider the money spent on mobile phone airtime a serious competitor.
Unofficial ‘sales’ of newspapers also take place, where vendors will rent out the
paper for readers at a price as low as 200 shillings (USD0.06), for a short period
of time.
Circulation figures for papers other than New Vision are unknown, but a panellist
remarked, “The Nation in Kenya circulates 150,000 copies daily. This is more than
Uganda’s entire print media circulation.”
In 2014, there was a marked decline in circulation, which is viewed to have been
the result of a price increment, as well as due to new media alternatives; including
the ability to access these papers online. “Organisations used to budget for
newspapers for their staff, but now they only go to (the) topmost person and to
the library. So this has also affected circulation.”
Radio and television stations amplify information contained in the newspapers
through their broadcasts.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2016

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