UGANDA: Episcopal Conference Launches a Catholic TV

Masereka Peter

The Uganda Catholic Television has been launched to respond to the developing modern ways of technological evangelization.

Uganda catholic television located on Nsambya hill in Kasese which is fully regulated by the Uganda communication commission tested the airwaves on free to air in 2020 with her slogan “Good News For All” is now on Zuku channel 74 where News, Infotainment, Evangelisation, Live events, all papal events and edutainment.

In his speech during the Uganda martyr’s day celebrations at the Catholic shrine in Namugongo, Rt. Rev Anthony Nziwa, the Chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal conference said the Television was partly to respond to the new approaches of development and evangelisation.

On his part, Bishop Joseph Franzelli, Chairman of the Social Communication Commission of the Conference and board chair of the new broadcaster, has stressed that the TV project will operate with a commercial approach, seeking to generate revenue, but its primary objective will not be profit-making. UCTV enters a television landscape that is predominantly populated by religiously founded channels.

Notably, there are already television stations established by Muslims, Anglicans, SDAs, and various evangelical and Pentecostal pastors in Kampala.

The Bishop acknowledged that there were individuals who raised concerns about the allocation of funds for this project during its establishment. Some questioned why the church did not utilize those resources to build more schools or hospitals instead.

In response, Bishop Franzelli has emphasized that the Church can no longer overlook the importance of communication in today’s society. He implied that leveraging media platforms such as television is crucial for effective outreach and connecting with a wider audience.

Rev Fr Philip Odii, the project manager, expressed that the station aims to establish a closer connection with its viewers by conducting interviews that address their social, developmental, and other needs.

To achieve this, the station’s main studio, situated at the Catholic Secretariat in Nsambya, will be supported by sub-stations spread across Mbarara, Tororo, Gulu, and Lira. These sub-stations will gather local content from various regions throughout the country.

Fr Odii added that the station has also obtained exclusive rights from international Catholic broadcasters including the Vatican Media, to broadcast events involving the Pope. During the launch, Mr. Chris Baryomunsi the Minister responsible for ICT and the chief guest commended the Catholic Church for its initiative.

He expressed his strong belief that the channel will bring immense value to Uganda by offering programming that adheres to the necessary ethical and legal standards. Baryomunsi voiced concerns about the inadequate broadcasting standards on several stations, including those with religious affiliations. He stated, “We have not encountered any issues with any of the media houses founded by the Catholic Church, and I am confident that UCTV will also maintain high standards.”

Bishop Zziwa who had earlier called for love and peaceful living among Christians, extended his condolences to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Uganda over the death of the UPDF soldiers following the suspected A- lshabab attacked on the forces base in Somalia.

He used the same platform to deliver the message of the Bishops in Uganda who have asked the government to put strict measures on security operatives in a bid to fight the ongoing brutal killing in the country.

Rt. Rev. Antony Joseph Zziwa said the Bishops are concerned about recent brutal killings of Ugandans whose killers are using guns, the acts he said leave many questions and worries among the citizens.

Bishop Zziwa who is the Ordinary of Kiyinda-Mityana diocese asked government and the commander in chief to have strict measures on use of guns by both security agencies and private owners in Uganda.

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