Privately owned TV and radio stations in Uganda have declined to broadcast a presidential message advocating for participation in the national census, citing a lack of financial support.
Despite a directive from the state-linked Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) urging broadcasters to provide maximum publicity for the census free of charge, the stations have stood firm in their decision.
President Yoweri Museveni had recorded a video message emphasising the importance of citizens participating. However, the Broadcasters’ Association rejected the directive, stating their inability to comply without adequate government funding.
The government has declared Friday a public holiday to facilitate citizen engagement in the National Housing and Population Census, a 10-day initiative conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to gather essential social and demographic data for effective government planning.
Museveni’s message, now circulated on social media, urges Ugandans to cooperate with census data collectors and provide accurate information.
In response to the UCC’s order, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) emphasised that while private broadcasters offer free coverage during national emergencies, pre-planned events like the census require government funding. NAB Chairman Innocent Nahabwe highlighted the financial obligations of media outlets, including licencing fees, taxes, and staff salaries, stating that complying without adequate funding would establish an unsustainable precedent.
“It is based on these considerations that we have regrettably declined to comply with the directive issued by the UCC and will advise our members accordingly,” said Mr. Nahabwe.
Uganda is set to conduct its sixth national census, utilising digital systems for the first time, as reported by local media. The previous census in 2014 recorded the country’s population at 36 million, with estimates suggesting a rise to approximately 45 million since then.