Government has directed all radio and television owners in Uganda, to immediately start disseminating information regarding the Coronavirus epidemic at free of charge.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) -the media and content regulator says they are seeking support from broadcasters, considering the critical role they play in informing the public on the Coronavirus.
In the statement, the Ag. Executive Director UCC Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo directed all Radio stations and Television operators to immediately start broadcasting daily public service announcements on the Coronavirus disease prevention and government intervention progress, free of charge.
UCC also directed that the announcements should be aired during prime time for wider dissemination, and should continue until government declares the Coronavirus threat no-longer eminent in Uganda.
Broadcsaters have been instructed to find recordings regarding the Coronavirus outbreak from the government, and press statements from the Ministry of Health containing recommended Public Safety measures to facilitate implementation of the directive.
“In accordance to section 5(1) of the UCC Act 2013, Regulation 20(1)(h) of the Uganda Communications Licensing Regulations 2019, and the Terms and Conditions for broadcasters, the Commission hereby DIRECTS all Radio and Television operators to broadcast daily public service announcements on Coronavirus” the statement reads in part.