In June 2019, it was reported that the unreliability of the Uganda Broadcasting Cooperation (UBC) radio station in Moroto District surprised President Museveni.
According to reports, Jones Othieno alias DJ Jones, a staff at the station told the president at Morulinga State Lodge in Moroto in a press conference that the station, which serves Karamoja sub-region, only operates twice a month.
Othieno, who utilized the opportunity of question time, revealed to the president that the radio is housed in a container and had failed to serve its purpose in the region due to technical problems.
He urged the President to intervene in the situation. President Museveni laughed at the revelation and pledged to follow up the matter.
“A radio is supposed to be daily not seasonal. That it only comes on twice every month – that one now is something new. I’m happy that you’ve told me. I’m going to follow it up,” Mr Museveni said.
Now fresh reports indicate that numerous changes have occurred at the radio station.
The changes started with procurement of 300 litres of diesel for the generator at the radio, just a week after the President’s Press Conference. It was followed by several visits by officials from UBC in Kampala.
Last week, a delegation of 12 officials led by the UBC Board Chairperson, James Rwehabura, UBC Managing Director, Watson Agaba and Chief Engineer, Michael Agaba visited the facility on a fact finding mission.
In her brief to the team, Anne Maria Lokwii, the station Manager UBC Moroto, said that much as the radio is better placed in the area, its operations are frustrating both the listeners and the staff due to its unreliability. She also noted that most staff have suffered the radiation effect since the studio sits next to the transmitter.
During his interaction with staff of UBC Radio Moroto, the UBC Board Chairperson, James Rwehabura said the studio will be moved from its current location in Singila to the former Karamoja Development Agency area in the shortest time possible.
He also promised to improve the welfare of staff and boost the radio coverage and quality for the listeners.
UBC Radio was commissioned by the President in March 2015 and operates in Singila village. The station operates in a small container in an open compound, which is littered with cow dang.
All the radio equipment including the transmitter are in the same container. UBC Radio, also known as Totore mainly operates when there is electricity.
On many occasions, government officials, who are supposed to sensitize residents on government programmes, opt for private radio stations in town due to the poor status of the UBC station.
