Ms. Joyce Bagala, the Shadow Minister for Information and Anti-corruption, has raised concerns over the government’s decision to channel all government advertising exclusively through the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and Vision Group. In a statement issued on July 25, Ms. Bagala criticized the move, stating that it poses a threat to the principles of a liberalized economy.

Ms. Bagala emphasized that a liberalized economy thrives on healthy competition between both public and private players. By centralizing government advertising through UBC and New Vision, government entities subsidized by taxpayers, she believes it promotes a monopoly and goes against the constitutional principles of liberalism, freedom of expression, and fair competition.

The legislator argued that while it is essential to improve the capacity of the public broadcaster, it is unconstitutional for the head of state to discriminate against and stifle private companies that have made significant investments in the media industry.

Drawing parallels with previous directives, such as awarding all infrastructural construction contracts to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Ms. Bagala expressed concern about mismanagement and slow progress in government projects. She cited various stalled infrastructural development projects in different parts of the country, highlighting the potential negative impact of such directives.

Despite the threat of dismissal for non-compliant accounting officers in the 2023/2024 budget execution circular, Ms. Bagala asserted that such punitive measures were illegal and uncalled for. She pledged support for private media players in their decision to boycott government activities and demanded that the Ministry of Finance rescind the directive issued through the budget call circular.

In response to the media, the Minister for Information and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, urged private media houses to reconsider the boycott and wait for the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the Information Ministry and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). He also mentioned a scheduled meeting between NAB and the President on August 10.