“Considering our efforts thus far towards the fight against Covid-19 and with millions of vaccine donations in stores…” Broadcasters’ chairman wrote in a December 27 letter.
Kampala – 27, December 2021: National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has responded to its regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) over a recent request for a media campaign for mass Covid-19 vaccinations.
“Whereas we acknowledge the spirit behind the appearances given the need to sensitize and mobilize the masses towards Covid-19 vaccination, we would like to humble notify you that none of our members has received a corresponding commercial booking, and these appearances on Radio and TV stations shall not be provided for free,” chairman of NAB, Kin Kariisa wrote in a December 27 letter to UCC Executive Director.
He added, “As you are well aware, the broadcasters and media in general have been very aggressive with campaigns since February 2020. These voluntary Covid-19 sensitization campaigns were very effective. The awareness levels post the camping was estimated to be above 95% despite the lack of or minimal financial support from government to media industry.”
According to the NAB chairman, it is in the same breath that after the second wave we foresaw the need for a deliberate campaign on mass vaccination.
“We took the initiative and sent a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister on the 21st June 2021, and reminders thereafter, informing the government about the need to reactivate the said media campaign….unfortunately we did not receive any response.”
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The letter went on to inform the regulator that, “UCC is aware of the negative effects that the pandemic has had on the media industry financially, and yet broadcasters have to pay taxes, license fees, employees’’ salaries, meet operational costs and much more.
“Considering our efforts thus far towards the fight against Covid-19 and with millions of vaccine donations in stores, the least government can do is budget for a deliberate sustained media campaigns to ensure that jabs are administered to the population before the vaccines expire.”
According to the Ministry of Health latest data released on Monday, December 27, 11,377,067 people are now vaccinated.
Since 2019, 2,115,474 tests have been conducted and 135,091 have tested positive for Covid-19. 3,280 have died, and 98,287 have since recovered.
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