President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has Thursday reversed the directive that all government advertising must go through State broadcaster- UBC.
President Museveni reversed the order following his meeting with media owners at State House Entebbe.
Museveni a few weeks ago directed the Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja in a letter that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies advertise only on Uganda Broadcasting Corporation and New Vision which are predominantly state media outlets.
According to the letter government would give Uganda Broadcasting Corporation sh 30 billion annually for operations.
It on this note that the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development issued a statement confirming President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to have all government adverts go through Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) TV and New Vision.
Ramathan Ggoobi the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury while issuing the Budget Execution Circular for the Financial Year 2023/24 to all Accounting Officers & Chief Executive Officers of State Owned Enterprises and Public Corporations, reaffirmed President Museveni’s directive to the Accounting Officers that all government advertisements should go through UBC TV or New vision.
This sparked off uneasiness from Private Media owners who threatened to cease coverage of all government activities.
In his speech at Entebbe, Museveni said government will find another way to help UBC pay its debts, and that private media houses should be left to get advertisement from government.
