Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has reportedly directed the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to reclaim radio frequencies that have remained unused for more than three years, in a move aimed at tackling spectrum hoarding and expanding broadcasting access in underserved communities.
The directive comes amid concerns raised in Parliament over limited access to FM frequencies, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as Buhweju West, where communities reportedly continue to face challenges accessing reliable local broadcasting services.
According to information reaching our news desk, Nabbanja wants unused frequencies repossessed to prevent individuals and companies from holding them for possible resale instead of putting the spectrum to productive use.
The move could ease the shortage of available FM frequencies and create opportunities for new broadcasters to serve communities that have long struggled to access local radio.
The directive comes as UCC continues efforts to streamline Uganda’s broadcasting sector. The regulator recently opened applications for FM frequencies in eight underserved districts and has also taken action against stations that fail to meet licensing and operational requirements.
Nabbanja’s intervention is therefore aimed at ensuring Uganda’s radio spectrum is efficiently utilised and that more communities, particularly those in rural and hard-to-reach areas, can benefit from local broadcasting.
With radio remaining one of the most accessible sources of information for many Ugandans, reclaiming idle frequencies could open the airwaves to more local voices while improving access to news, public information and community programming.
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