Minister pleads for funding for UBC and national guidance directorate

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  The Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and National guidance Judith Nabakooba has decried a lack of funding for national guidance and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).  

Although the Ministry sought 22 billion Shillings for the national broadcaster-UBC, and three billion Shillings for the national guidance directorate, the two items have been listed as un-funded priorities for the financial year 2021-2022. 

According to its strategic objectives, the directorate is mandated to promote a national ideology, mindset change and national service that supports good governance. It is also supposed to define Uganda’s national values and build a value-based society, promote civic awareness and participation in national development for socio-economic transformation.  The other roles include the promotion of national vision, national identity, the common good, national interests and patriotism.

Today, Nabakooba told the ICT Committee of Parliament that the Directorate of Information and National guidance cannot be un-funded, because they are the gist of the operations of the entire sector. She adds that the Directorate needs to traverse the entire country to engage the citizens when it comes to understanding and embracing government programs. 

On UBC, Nabakooba says that she was shocked to find out that UBC which is being revamped does not have money. The committee chairperson Paul Amoru also described the development as unfortunate,  but expressed worry that the  UBC leadership didn’t show up today to defend their vydgets. 

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URN