Uganda’s digital terrestrial television signal now reaches about 86 percent of the country, but actual television ownership remains low at just 23.1 percent of households, prompting regulators to shift focus from expanding infrastructure toward improving affordability and meaningful access.
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo said the broadcasting sector has undergone a major shift from traditional analogue broadcasting to a digital ecosystem that now spans Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), satellite, cable, streaming services, and social media.
He made the remarks while speaking during an induction retreat for Members of Parliament on the ICT and National Guidance Committee at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where UCC officials briefed lawmakers on developments and regulatory challenges facing the communications sector.
Nyombi Thembo said support through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) had helped expand national DTT coverage to approximately 86 percent through 18 transmission sites. However, he pointed to census data showing television ownership at only 23.1 percent of households as evidence of a persistent gap between signal availability and ordinary Ugandans’ actual ability to access broadcasting content.
“The priority is shifting from signal coverage to meaningful access,” he said, citing affordability, availability of receiving devices, and digital literacy as the areas now requiring greater attention. The figures suggest that expanding transmission infrastructure alone will not be enough to deliver universal access to television, particularly for lower-income and rural households.
UCC also told MPs it is pursuing further modernisation of the broadcasting sector through a Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus (DAB+) pilot in Greater Kampala. DAB+ allows multiple radio stations to transmit over a single digital frequency, potentially improving audio quality and spectrum efficiency compared to traditional FM broadcasting.
The pilot is part of broader efforts to prepare Uganda’s broadcasting industry for changing consumer habits and the growing convergence between traditional broadcasting and internet-based media. Nyombi Thembo said Uganda’s media environment can no longer be regulated solely around traditional radio and television, given how much audiences now consume news and entertainment through streaming platforms and social media.
The regulator is also pushing for greater investment in Uganda’s creative industry as broadcasting becomes increasingly digital and competitive. Nyombi Thembo cited UCC initiatives including the Content Development Support Programme and the Uganda Film Festival as efforts meant to support local producers and improve the quality and reach of Ugandan content.
He said the ambition should extend beyond producing content solely for domestic audiences toward developing Ugandan stories capable of competing in international markets. While the growth of streaming and digital distribution has opened new opportunities for Ugandan filmmakers and musicians to reach global audiences, it has also intensified concerns around piracy, revenue generation, and the financial sustainability of local media companies.
Regulator Wants A New Legal Framework
Nyombi Thembo said the convergence of broadcasting technologies has created regulatory challenges around content standards, child online safety, piracy, and the financial sustainability of media companies. He called for a modern, technology-neutral regulatory framework capable of governing services regardless of whether content is distributed through terrestrial broadcasting, satellite, cable, or internet platforms.
UCC said it would work with Parliament on legislative reforms and financing measures needed to expand communications infrastructure, support local content creation, and improve universal access, adding that closer cooperation with lawmakers will be necessary as Uganda moves from simply expanding digital coverage toward ensuring citizens can afford devices, understand digital services, and safely participate in the country’s evolving media environment.
