UBC is planning to upgrade their equipment in response to the digital
migration program which should be completed before December this year of 2013. According
to a notice released by acting managing director, Mr. Kihika Paul on July 31 asking
all managers of the affected 19 radios and television stations to switch off
their equipment before work starts. He said “this will allow contractors to
remove the existing antennae and replace them with new ones”.
"UBC in partnership with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is in the final stages of implementing the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) project for greater Kampala. We have reached the time of replacement of the antenna system to meet DTT requirements and this necessitates switching off all services to enable rigging work to complete the installations within the shortest possible time," Kihika added.
The list of affected tv stations includes; all UBC and its sister stations, NTV, NBS, WBS, Urban, CCTV, CRI, Citizen, East Africa TV, ITV, LTV, Miracle, Top and Record. The affected radio stations include; Sanyu FM, Super FM, BBC, Citizen Radio, East Africa Radio.
Mr. Kihika’s statement had indicated that the stations would be off from Friday August 2 up to Sunday August 4. However, reports indicate that this has been changed to Sunday for 12 hours.
He further said "We hope to complete the work on Sunday but if we don't, we shall have to extend to Monday (August 5)." Kihika also explained that “the disruption is clear in the tenancy agreement which has a clause that allows interruption in their broadcast in need be”.
The closure on Friday to
Sunday would have serious implications as many stations would have wanted to
air out the celebrations to mark Kabaka Ronald Mutebi's 20th coronation
anniversary. In addition several managers have indicated that they would lose a
lot of revenue for in those busy weekend days.
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