UGANDA: “Patience” with the New Uganda Catholic Television: Bishop Requests
Bishop Joseph Franzelli, the chairman of the Social Communications Commission, Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)
After Uganda Catholic Television (UCTV) went on free to air last week Wednesday, February 5, on channel 49 or 53, a Bishop has requested for “patience” with the new mode of evangelization as trial of the signal is ongoing to establish the stability of the platform.
“I must emphasize that we are still testing our signal and this might take a few months,” Bishop Joseph Franzelli the chairman of the Social Communications Commission, Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) stated in a statement and continued, “I would also like to point out that we are making arrangements to have the signal reach all parts of the country through the various pay TVs. We are therefore requesting for your patience.”
According to the Bishop, the new Catholic mode of communication “is an important tool for the Church’s work of evangelization and integral human development in our country.” It is intended to “cover a radius of about 60 kms” transmitting within the region of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
He confirmed that those within the anticipated area to be covered and have access to digital TV will receive the signal of UCTV saying, “You should be able to receive the signal if you are within the 60 kms radius and have a digital TV set connected to an antenna or a free to air decoder.”
The prelate further commended all those who have supported the project financially and in any other ways saying, “I thank the clergy, religious, our lay faithful and all the people of good will who have contributed financially and in other ways towards this project.”
“I greatly appreciate the social Communications Commission, the staff of Uganda Catholic Secretariat and the technical team that made this TV a reality,” Bishop Emeritus who is a member of Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus acknowledged in his statement and added, “I thank our various consultants and other stakeholders for their support and guidance. In particular I appreciate CREC international and their team for the consultancy services. We still need and count on your support and collaboration.”
The quest for support came last year when the UEC took to their Facebook page an appeal to all Christians and well-wishers seeking for their help.
“We kindly appeal to all Christians and well-wishers of the Catholic Church to contribute generously towards the Catholic TV Project,” read in part the request posted in the UEC Facebook page early last year.
The Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese concluded, “I pray that the Lord blesses UCTV so that it may be “Good News for All” as the slogan states.”
By Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
