UGANDA: Episcopal Conference launches Catholic TV.

Peter Masereka - Uganda.

Uganda Catholic Television has been test-transmitting since 2020 on Free-to-air (FTA) services. The Catholic television station is now on Zuku channel 74, where news, infotainment, evangelisation, live papal events, and edutainment content will be televised. It has the catchy slogan of, Good News for all!

Reaching out to a wider audience

In his speech during the Uganda Martyr’s Day celebrations at the Namugongo Shrine, Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana and President of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Joseph Antony Zziwa, said the new television had been set up in part as a response to new approaches of development and evangelisation.

UCTV enters a television landscape already populated by mostly non-Catholic religious channels.

For his part, Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese, Giuseppe Franzelli of the Social Communications Commission of the Bishops Conference and board chair of the nascent TV, stressed that UCTV would ensure sustainability by engaging in some commercial activities such as adverts.

He further said that the Church in Uganda could no longer overlook the importance of communication in today’s world. He emphasised that media platforms such as television are crucial for effective outreach and connecting with a broader audience.

Content that connects with all Ugandans

Fr Philip Odii, the Project Manager, explained that UCTV wants to establish closer connection with its viewers in its programming and content, including interviews that address social, developmental, and other needs.

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

Fr Odii informed that UCTV has obtained exclusive rights in Uganda from international Catholic broadcasters, including Vatican Media, to broadcast events involving the Pope.

Government commends Catholic Church

During the launch, Mr Chris Baryomunsi, the Ugandan Minister of ICT and National Guidance, who was the chief guest at the TV launch, commended the Catholic Church for its initiative.

The government minister expressed his satisfaction that the Catholic TV would bring and add immense value to Uganda.

(Amecea News)