Uganda
journalism which does not antagonize the government. The same
law says that the minister “may … make Regulations generally for
the better carrying out of the provisions” of the act. This could include editorial policies.
However, the UBC editorial staff have been trying to be independent
in their coverage although they are sensitive on political matters.
They have also been described as people still suffering from the past
when they were obliged to cover the President and ministers exclusively. The transition from a state to a “public broadcaster” was not
systematic: the corporation is still locked in the structures of the
old state broadcaster, with the minister interfering directly, and
staff have never been prepared for the supposed change. Recently,
UBC experienced various readjustments in its administration, starting with top management, which have cast additional doubt on its
independence. – The law may have changed, but UBC has remained
the same. In the view of the public, public broadcasting is still part
of the state.
SCORES
Individual scores:

2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2

Average:

1.6

3.8

The public broadcaster is adequately funded in a
manner that protects it from arbitrary interference with
its budget.

ANALYSIS:
According to the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Act 2005, funding for the public broadcaster consists of grants from government,
loans from government, organisations or any person, revenue generated in the discharge of its duties, donations, advertising revenue
African Media Barometer - Uganda 2007

25

Select target paragraph3