SECTOR 2

c.

effecting anti-competitive changes in the market structure
and, in particular, anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions in
the communications sector.

These clauses do not, however, prohibit cross ownership of different media
platforms, and New Vision and Monitor Publications (of which the Daily
Monitor is a subsidiary), both own media houses across print, radio and
television. Panellists noted that in cross ownership, products can easily end
up cannibalising each other, and a lot has to be invested in order to grow all
media streams.
The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, as the national broadcaster governed
by the UBC Act of 2005, is mandated in Section 3 of the Act to serve as the
common carrier for broadcasting. As such, other television and radio stations
use their mast to broadcast; for this reason, the broadcaster does not see itself
as being in direct competition with other broadcasters.
The UCC has not been contacted to test the issues surrounding crossownership. Depending on one’s reading of fair competition in the Act, “The
provisions are there, but they have not been adequately defined or tested.”

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:

3.1 (2012 = 2.3; 2010 = 1.2; 2007 = 1.3)

2.6 Government promotes a diverse media landscape
with economically sustainable and independent media
outlets.
Panellists were divided on whether government promotes a diverse and
sustainable media landscape, with some noting that “there are efforts to
promote a diverse media landscape”, and others arguing that “there is no
effort to protect small media”.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2016

39

Select target paragraph3