Museveni orders Gov’t to advertise with private media houses

President Museveni has directed that both public and private media houses should benefit from government advertising.

This effectively rescinds the president’s earlier directive to the Prime Minister dated March 6, 2023, that all Government advertising business be channelled to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).

Museveni’s decision followed an appeal by private media executives who said the previous order was discriminatory and would lead to the collapse of media firms which are struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-10

The President on Thursday met broadcasters under their umbrella body, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and other media executives at State House, Entebbe.

According to a statement from the President’s office, ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi said media houses were unable to pay salaries to staff and also taxes due to the presidential directive order stopping government bodies from advertising with private media houses.

“Museveni accepted the appeal and asked Hon. Baryomunsi to meet with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) team next week to harmonise the position on how they will be considered for Government advertising spending,” the statement from State House reads in part. 

Museveni said that his directive was not intended to harm the private sector but to help revitalise UBC. 

He clarified that UBC and New Vision should get preference in government spending but that private media houses should also get government adverts. 

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and UCC Executive Director Eng Irene Kaggwa among others.