President Museveni Wants UBC to Compete With BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera – Minister Baryomunsi

Minister Chris Baryomunsi reveals President Museveni’s plan to fund UBC with UGX 30 billion annually so it can compete with global broadcasters like CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera.

President Museveni Wants UBC to Compete With BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera – Minister Baryomunsi

The Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has revealed that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wants Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to be transformed into a global media powerhouse.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Baryomunsi disclosed that the President directed government to allocate not less than UGX 30 billion annually to UBC in order to help it compete with international broadcasters like CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera.

According to the minister, the funding is meant to modernize UBC’s operations, improve content quality, and position the national broadcaster on the international stage.

“The President has been very clear that UBC should be funded to a minimum of 30 billion shillings per year to enable it compete with international broadcasters such as CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera,” Baryomunsi said.

However, Baryomunsi admitted that despite the directive being issued some time ago, financial constraints have so far delayed its full implementation.

“We have not yet honoured that directive because it requires financial resources,” he added.

The minister further confirmed that discussions between his ministry and the Ministry of Finance are still ongoing to ensure the plan is eventually realized.

If implemented, the move could mark a major turning point for UBC, which has often faced criticism over outdated equipment, limited reach, and low-quality programming compared to private and international media houses.