How to register a community radio in Uganda

Registration of community Radio stations in Uganda is mandated by The Uganda Communications commission (UCC) under the Uganda Communications Act 2013.

The following steps are followed when you want to register a community radio station.

1. The application for a community radio licence is done on the prescribed Application Form for Community Broadcasting Licence and in line with the guidelines for application of community broadcasting services issued by the Commission.

This application form and guidelines are available on the Commission’s Website for free download.

• After downloading the Application Form, fill it and submit to the Authority the completed licence application form and requisite supporting documents as stipulated on the application form. The receiving officer shall check for completeness of the form to ensure it meets the licensing requirements and register your application as received.
• The receiving officer will then issue you with a Payment Instruction Form, which the cashier will use to receive payment of the requisite application fees. Once payment is done, the Register with details of the application shall be updated with your application information.
• The receiving officer will the forward the application and supporting documents to the next level officer for further scrutiny and confirmation that the application complies with all the requirements.
• The Evaluation team will prepare a report of their evaluation and present a summary to the Communications Licensing Committee (CLC) for further consideration.
• The Communications Licensing Committee (CLC)shall deliberate on the application based on the evaluation report and recommend /not recommend the application for award of a licence.
• Following the outcome of the CLC, the Commission shall in accordance with the CLC decision perform the following tasks:
  • where the application is not recommended for award of a licence, official communication shall be prepared informing the Applicant of the reasons the application was not successful and the requirements for the applications to be processed further, if applicable; and
  • where the application is recommended for award of a licence, the process of gazetting the application shall be initiated
  • where CLC directs that the application be subjected to further processes prior to being recommended for licence award, the applicant shall be accordingly updated if necessary.
• For an approved application, he Commission shall prepare a notification for publication the intent to licence in the Uganda Gazette. The notice shall run for a statutory period of 30 days and the Commission shall communicate officially to the successful applicant notifying the applicant regarding the publication in the Uganda Gazette and the expiry date of the Gazette notice.
• The Commission shall monitor the application on the Uganda Gazette for any representations/objections and also shall address any representations or objections. A copy of the representation (if any) shall be forwarded to the applicant for information and/or to provide clarifications on issues.
• At the end of the gazette period, the Commission shall submit the license applications for consideration by the Board.
• Following the Board outcome, the Commission shall in accordance with the Board directive initiate official communication informing the Applicant of the Board decision and:
  • Where the application is approved, prepare official communication regarding licence offer informing the Applicant of the conditions of offer including the prerequisite fee(s)and the offer validity period; and
  • Where the application is rejected, prepare official communication informing the Applicant of the reasons as to why the application was not successful and the requirements for the applications to be processed further, where applicable;
• Once the applicant makes payment for the licence within the validity period of licence offer, the Commission shall prepare a draft licence stipulating the terms and conditions of the licence. The applicant shall be required to accept the offer before the next stage can proceed.
• The Commission shall issue a construction authorization permit valid for a specified period(6-12 months)during which the licensee shall be expected to put up the relevant infrastructure for the approved broadcasting service and carry out the necessary tests.
• Once the licensee notifies the Commission regarding completion of the set-up of the station, the Commission shall carry out an inspection of the facility as well as witness test transmissions and if satisfied, recommend issuance of the licence to the applicant. If dissatisfied with the construction, the Commission shall recommend to the applicant the specific issues that need to be addressed and the time frame of revisiting the matter. In case the applicant fails to address the shortcomings within the specified time frame, the licence offer shall be withdrawn and the applicant shall be duly informed.
• The Commission shall issue the broadcasting license following successful inspection by the Commission.
• The community radio license must be kept in force by annual payment of the prescribed licence fees.
• The details of the Applicant and licence shall be recorded and maintained in a Register of Licensees.