OP-ED: Museveni’s directive on Govt adverts threatens Uganda’s media freedom

By Busiinge Aggrey

Today, I write with deep concern regarding the recent presidential directive to channel all government advertising through the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and Vision Group, at the expense of private media houses. The Shadow Minister for Information and Anti-corruption, Ms Joyce Bagala, rightfully criticizes this move, as it poses a significant threat to the principles of a liberalised economy, freedom of expression, and fair competition.

The cornerstone of a liberalised economy lies in encouraging healthy competition among public and private players. By imposing a monopoly on government advertising, this directive severely undermines the essence of a liberalised economic environment. In doing so, it stifles fair competition and infringes upon the fundamental principles enshrined in our nation’s constitution.

It is essential to acknowledge that government advertising plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth. Therefore, both private and public media houses should be involved in this process to harness the full potential of our economy. By favoring UBC and Vision Group without competition, the government risks endorsing complacency, mismanagement, and inefficiency. Entities that cannot withstand competition should be left to rely solely on subvention, rather than being shielded from market forces.

Moreover, we must be mindful of the constitutional implications of such a directive. Discriminating against private companies that have invested substantial resources in the media industry is not only unfair but also unconstitutional. The government has a duty to foster an environment where all players have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress.

Ms Bagala’s cautionary reference to government infrastructural development is a pertinent reminder of the potential consequences of such directives. The President’s previous decree to entrust all infrastructural construction contracts to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) resulted in mismanagement and stalled projects. We cannot afford to repeat such mistakes, especially when it comes to critical sectors like media and advertising.

The threat of dismissal to non-compliant accounting officers for merely upholding their principles is alarming and unacceptable. Public servants should not be subjected to coercion and intimidation for abiding by the rule of law and the Constitution. It is crucial for the government to foster an atmosphere that encourages dialogue, negotiation, and consensus rather than resorting to such punitive measures.

We, as concerned citizens, stand in solidarity with the private media players’ decision to boycott government activities. We demand that the Ministry of Finance rescind this directive issued through the budget call circular. Instead, we urge the government to engage in meaningful negotiations with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to find a fair and equitable solution that upholds the principles of liberalisation, freedom of expression, and fair competition.

Furthermore, we call upon the Minister for Information and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, to genuinely consider the concerns raised by private media houses and the broader public. The scheduled meeting between NAB and the President on August 10 provides an opportunity for constructive dialogue that can lead to a more inclusive and progressive media landscape for Uganda.

In my view, let us uphold the principles of a liberalised economy, freedom of expression, and fair competition. It is through collaboration and unity that we can ensure a thriving media industry that benefits all citizens of Uganda. We must work together to safeguard our democratic values and protect the rights of every player in the media landscape. Only by doing so can we build a stronger, more prosperous nation for ourselves and future generations.

Busiinge Aggrey is a Ugandan journalist, media proprietor, researcher and CEO at Abjine Media Group and Editor at The Black Examiner Publishing Inc. Email: busiinge@abjinemedia.africa