Looming Managerial Reshuffle as ICT Ministers Tour UBC, Summon Board Members

The Board of Directors for the national broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) have been summoned for a meeting with the Ministers of ICT and National Guidance.

This was revealed on Wednesday during UBC maiden visit by ICT minister Judith Nabakooba and junior minister Peter Ogwang. The new ministers in their ongoing ICT tours were visiting the UBC premises where they were hosted by UBC management led by Managing Director, Winston Agaba.

The ICT ministers toured the UBC premises including the new UBC studio and were hosted live on Star TV, a subsidiary of UBC. They later met the top management in the MD’s board room where the ministers declined to listen to the presentation of the MD Agaba on ground that they first needed to meet with the UBC board, who supervise the managers.

“I am impressed with the infrastructure at UBC and so it means we are on the right track to make UBC a national broadcaster. However, I am sorry that we shall not listen to the presentation because we first want to meet with the Board. Whatever resolutions we shall come up with the Board then we shall meet you-the managers,” Ogwang said in the meeting that was also attended by Deputy MD Maurice Mugisha, Head of Content Cedric Babu among other top managers.

“This is the national broadcaster and there should be value for money. I am impressed with the infrastructure but we can’t remain with such output. It is our prayer to make UBC the most viewed station and from what I have seen, we have a lot to do.”

In particular, Ogwang who is also Usuk County MP has been at the forefront to ensure that UBC is fully capitalized while he was a member of the Parliamentary committee on Budget for about 9years.

“I know there has been an issue of delayed and limited funding but at least we should be able to account for the little money that comes and improve on the output,” Ogwang said, adding that they have strict instructions from the President to deal with corruption in the agencies under Ministry of ICT and inefficiency among others.

Nabakooba told UBC management that whereas they are committed to walk with them towards revamping UBC, the top managers should be accountable at any moment when they are called to do so.

“Thank you for what you have done so far but a lot still needs to be done. Government may not have given you the money at once but at least quarterly releases have been made for the revamp. We have agreed to meet the Board first because they need to explain to us a few things then that is when we shall meet you-the management,” Nabakooba said.

“You have a studio that is quite impressive but what has happened to the programming? We are not seeing what we want to see. Can we give priority to the president and ministers to air out government programs? Are people who cover government functions really committed? If a program is covered partially by a reporter then even what will be aired will be partial. Let the best reporters be sent to cover events.”

Nabakooba also tasked UBC management to provide the Ministry with a detailed report on free to air signet, adding that “elsewhere people are not getting free to air.”

“We want to see things done right and we are going to walk with you but you must be accountable. It is unfortunate we can’t listen to your presentation. We shall talk to you when we meet the Board then also interact with the staff,” she added.