State orders TV, radio stations to broadcast live Museveni's New Year message

President Yoweri Museveni. Radio and TV stations in Uganda have been ordered to set aside two hours on December 31, 2017 for the live broadcast of his New Year's message. PHOTO | DAILY MONITOR

What you need to know:

  • The broadcasters have been forced to adjust their Sunday programming to comply with the government order.

All radio and television stations in Uganda have been forced to adjust their Sunday programming, following a directive from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to broadcast President Museveni’s New Year message live.

In his letter to all broadcasters in Uganda dated December 28, UCC executive Godfrey Mutabazi says they will be required to allocate Mr Museveni two hours to deliver his New Year message to Ugandans.

ORDER

“Reference is made to our letter dated 22nd December 2017 under reference Number UCC/OED/02/17, on the above subject [live transmission of presidential New Year's message]. The Commission hereby notifies you of the changes made in the time for the live broadcast of His Excellency, the President's New Year's message on 31st December 2017,” reads a letter signed by Mr Mutabazi.

“The President's New Year's Message has now been scheduled to be broadcast between 1900 hours to 2100 on the 31st December 2017.”

A picture of the letter sent to broadcasters in Uganda, ordering them to set aside two hours for the live broadcast of President Yoweri Museveni's New Year message. PHOTO | DAILY MONITOR

 After receiving the letter, Capital FM Uganda was among the first broadcasters to tell their listeners about the planned change in their Sunday programming.

“Dear listeners, our usual programming will change on the 31st of December 2017 between the hours of 7PM - 9PM in order to relay the President's New Year's message as instructed by UCC,” read a message on their social media platforms.

“We cannot say no to the directive,” said Bishop David Kiganda, the proprietor of Kingdom FM and KTV.