By Sulphine Mbambu Bonabana
The Deputy Managing Director of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Maurice Mugisha, says there should be no justification for an internet shutdown as Uganda heads to the polls this week
if the public refrains from spreading false and malicious information.
Mugisha made the remarks as UBC outlined its preparedness to deliver continuous, credible and balanced election coverage ahead of polling on Thursday, January 15 2025.
“If we do not spread false or malicious information, there should be no reason for an internet shutdown. However, in case it happens, television and radio will still be available. With a free-to-air decoder, viewers can access UBC TV, and radios will continue to work on mobile phones and radio sets without internet,” Mugisha said.
He said UBC has deployed over 100 journalists across the country to ensure timely, accurate and verified information reaches the public throughout the election period.
The broadcaster will rely on its 11 radio stations and four television channels, broadcasting in 27 local languages, to keep Ugandans informed even in the event of internet disruptions.
Mugisha assured political parties and candidates of fair and equal coverage across all UBC platforms. He said all candidates will receive equal airtime, while additional exposure can be accessed through paid political programming. He added that UBC remains open to complaints from any party or candidate who feels unfairly covered.
To strengthen coverage in hard-to-reach areas, UBC will work through its regional stations and District Information Officers to maintain a steady flow of verified information.
“Where our teams may not be physically present, we shall work with District Information Officers to obtain accurate and timely information,” said Innocent Musinguzi, Manager of the UBC News Bureau.
UBC will also work closely with the Uganda Communications Commission to counter fake news. A dedicated digital team has been assigned to verify videos, audio clips, posters and documents before publication.
“We want to be a reliable source of factual information throughout this election period,” Mugisha said.
Live broadcasts from different regions during voting, counting and the declaration of results will be conducted in line with Electoral Commission guidelines.
“As UBC, we are ready to broadcast live during voting, counting and the announcement of results, but we shall strictly follow Electoral Commission regulations,” Musinguzi said.
UBC staff have undergone election coverage training from May to December 2025, supported by senior journalists and digital media specialists. The training focused on professional conduct, safety in the field and balanced reporting.
Mugisha said the broadcaster has not received reports of unfair coverage yet and is confident their teams are ready.
“We believe our teams are well prepared and equipped to deliver credible coverage of the 2026 General Elections,” he said.
