7 DAYS TO SHUT DOWN: UBC TV to be switched off over huge debts of UGX 3.7 billion in arrears, 30+ channels to be affected

 

The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC)’s satellite service provider has given the national broadcaster only seven days until September 30 to pay $988,225 (UGX 3.7b) arrears or risk being switched off. 

If this switch off is implemented, it will affect more than 30 television channels and the free-to-air decoders that rely on UBC’s infrastructure to transmit their televised services.

Daily Monitor reports that according to the satellite service provider, Intelsat, UBC’s arrears have accumulated for more than a year now.

“We certainly would like to avoid such measures and would regret having to take actions that may result in termination of your services. We would also like you to consider opening a dialogue with us to consider governmental needs regarding connectivity requirements in Uganda,” reads an excerpt from a letter penned on 6th September 2022.

Intelsat's Director of Finance, Hervy Mrjuna, wrote the letter to State Minister of ICT Godfrey Kabbyanga.

 Last month, on August 23, Mr Kabbyanga had written to Intelsat asking them not to suspend the services on grounds that the government is in a critical time of popularising mass vaccination against coronavirus and the parish development model. 

“The Ministry commits that satellite service provision to UBC be maintained, especially during this critical time that the government is popularising the mass vaccination campaign against Covid-19 and the parish development model,” Mr Kabbyanga said, adding that the termination of service would deprive the national broadcaster from communicating government programmes and the National Resistance Movement (the ruling party) manifesto.

Compiled by Kasaija Amon for Rystar News