We are tired of Fake News, Makerere University to Start Own TV Station

By: Twinomujuni Catherine

The leading education institution in Uganda, Makerere University is the higher level of learning institution that mostly make news on the land but in most cases they are negative.

The Vice Chancellor of this University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe hinted on the institution to start owning it’s mass communication platform to minimize news that damages the image of the oldest institutions.

Previously the University had a radio station but failed to acquire license from Uganda Communication due lack of finances.

According to Nawangwe, the institution has sought funds to set up its own TV station and thus requested UCC to help in restoring the  station so as to prevent issues of fake news about the institution of learning.

While speaking at the opening ceremony of the National conference on communications that was hosted by Makerere University’s CEDAT in conjunction with UCC, yesterday, Prof. Nawangwe revealed the grounds on how the University lost its license in the past but now they are capable of paying.

“We lost the license because we were poor but now we have some money” he said.

Nawangwe also urged the Minister of ICT, Judith Nabakooba  and the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission, Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo to establish an ICT Research Fund to help improve the quality of ICTs in Uganda, he asserted that Makerere would be a proud to partner in the initiative.

The minister for ICT Judith Nabakooba agreed that the radio and TV stations are good even for education purposes for courses like journalism and ICT.

So the Minister advised Makerere University to table the matter before UCC since the government is now committed to fore fronting ICT in the country.