Uganda is not ready for digital migration

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) continues to be a threat to universal access and

affordability of local TV signals under digital migration in Uganda despite the June 2015
deadline. Many Ugandans may forget about TV if UCC goes ahead to switch off analogue
TV signals.
Set-up boxes are crucial for the move to digital migration but UCC has only ten approved setup box vendors according to its Website for the entire country. The set-top boxes required to
migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting signal are still costly for an average Ugandan.
Set-up boxes are between shs 120,000 and shs 200,000 depending on features. The average
Ugandan may opt for DVD entertainment. If more Ugandans are off TV after final digital
migration roll-out, some local TV stations may collapse since they rely on advertising
revenue justified by their viewership base. When viewership is low, then advertisers may stop
their advertising budgets due to a drop in viewership. What will happen to local TV stations
that can not afford the expected high fees for their signal to be carried digitally?
There are still unresolved issues surrounding digital signal management between UBC and
UCC.The Ugandan Company supposed to handle the signal has been alleged to be operating
without a license.The Communication Authority of Kenya recently forcefully shut down
analogue signals for NTV, QTV, KTN and Citizen affecting many TV viewers in Kenya. The
incident gives UCC a number of lessons.
The coverage of the digital signal is still limited to only about a 70 kilometre radius from
Kololo.Retailers of set-up boxes are communicating the same. When will the entire country
be covered? This leaves the rest of Uganda with the Pay-TV option which is obviously costly.
UCC has failed to push for a must carry all free policy to force all Pay-TV firms to air local
FTA channels even when subscription expires. The absent digital migration law would help
address this.
Ignorance about the migration process limits universal access. Gaps in public awareness have
worsened the situation.UCC has not helped even with misleading Pay-TV adverts that seem
to imply that the only way to receive the new digital channels is to acquire their decoder.
The option to use internet to watch TV after the analogue switch off is not viable considering
the unreliable internet coverage services in the country. It is true that flat screens TVs today
have Wi-fi and almost each local Ugandan TV channel has a developed a TV mobile app. But
how many can afford internet costs?
The other option to pick the digital signal is to use the integrated digital television sets that
come with in-built decoders. Has UCC engaged Ugandan based TV manufacturers to explore
the option?
Power is also another bottleneck to universal access of digital signals in Uganda.UCC needs
to work with the private sector to develop alternative power sources. There are no battery or
solar powered set-up boxes.

We will continue with Digital migration challenges as long as no law is enacted and UCC
fails to fully engage all stakeholders.UCC will deliver a lot if it fully engages radio listeners
and TV viewers clubs across the country. UCC with help of government should create a fund
to ensure universal access of signals by availing set-up boxes to the poor at a subsidised fee
or no cost. There is need for every Ugandan to advocate for removal of taxes on digital
migration equipment.UCC must allocate more six months to run two sets of analogue and
digital signals simultaneously.
Ivan .N. Baliboola
PR and organisational diagnosis specialist
nbaliboola@gmail.com