The document summarizes the establishment of Kabale Community Radio by the National Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights in Uganda (NAFODU) with funding from UNESCO. NAFODU obtained a license and frequency, purchased radio equipment, renovated a building to serve as the broadcasting house, constructed a transmitting mast, and established a community multimedia center. The community radio station, called Freedom Radio, aims to promote cultural, economic, political, environmental, and social development through its programming.
The document summarizes the establishment of Kabale Community Radio by the National Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights in Uganda (NAFODU) with funding from UNESCO. NAFODU obtained a license and frequency, purchased radio equipment, renovated a building to serve as the broadcasting house, constructed a transmitting mast, and established a community multimedia center. The community radio station, called Freedom Radio, aims to promote cultural, economic, political, environmental, and social development through its programming.
The document summarizes the establishment of Kabale Community Radio by the National Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights in Uganda (NAFODU) with funding from UNESCO. NAFODU obtained a license and frequency, purchased radio equipment, renovated a building to serve as the broadcasting house, constructed a transmitting mast, and established a community multimedia center. The community radio station, called Freedom Radio, aims to promote cultural, economic, political, environmental, and social development through its programming.
The document summarizes the establishment of Kabale Community Radio by the National Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights in Uganda (NAFODU) with funding from UNESCO. NAFODU obtained a license and frequency, purchased radio equipment, renovated a building to serve as the broadcasting house, constructed a transmitting mast, and established a community multimedia center. The community radio station, called Freedom Radio, aims to promote cultural, economic, political, environmental, and social development through its programming.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTED BY NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
IN UGANDA (NAFODU) AND FUNDED BY UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO) UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION (IPDC)
About NAFODU The National Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights in Uganda is a civic non partisan, not profit making, nongovernmental organization, registered under the Non Governmental Organization Registration statute of Uganda (1989). The Foundation was formed in 2000 by a group of youth with the major aim of promoting Democracy, human rights and good governance in Uganda. The Foundation also aimed at monitoring the 2001 presidential, parliamentary, local and village council elections. NAFODU’s Vision is to have a democratic Uganda where government is accountable to its citizens and in which all the citizens freely and willingly participate in the social, political and economic affairs of the Country. The Foundations mission is to promote and strengthen democracy, human rights and good governance in Uganda through election monitoring, lobbying and advocacy, civic education, training, information Dissemination and conflict resolution
About the Project
The recent trend of the media in Uganda towards liberalization and privatization of the electronic communication has resulted in the Ugandan government taking a step towards liberalizing and privatizing the broadcast industry in the hope that new actors would take services to the people. Indeed, since 1993, when the electronic media went private, many radio and television stations offering a wide variety of content have mushroomed more than before. Most of them however are commercial radio stations. Suffice to mention that liberalization of the airwaves has opened up political space for more discussion in the public and thus given a larger percentage of constituents, the ability to easily and quickly transmit their opinions on public policy to their representatives. By empowering ordinary citizens to participate more directly in their political system, the electronic media in Uganda has increased the role of the citizen in the policy-making process at the expense of the political “middlemen”.
NAFODU approached UNESCO for the financial support to establish a Community Radio in Kabale. NAFODU submitted a Project Proposal, which included background information on NAFODU, an operational plan and a detailed breakdown of costs. On the basis of the information contained in the proposal, UNESCO IPDC approved a grant of US$25,000 and the agreement was signed on 29th July 2011. As per the signed agreement, it was proposed that the grant be disbursed in three tranches as follows. • First tranche of $15,000 was disbursed after the grant agreement was signed • Second tranche of $7,500 will be disbursed after receiving the progress Report • Third tranche of $ 2,500 will be disbursed on receipt of final narrative and financial statement.
Original Objectives of the Project
The project aims to purchase radio equipment to establish a community radio station in Kabale and to encourage more direct participation of citizens in dialogue and decision-making though a variety of programmes.
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE: To contribute to public awareness and participation on issues of human rights and good governance in territories that is transitioning from the effects of conflict through community broadcasting.
IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE Establish a fully equipped community radio station and set-up relevant staff and volunteers to manage and run daily operations.
ACTIVITIES COMPLETED In line with the project proposal and the agreement signed, NAFODU has completed the following activities
1) Preparatory Activities NAFODU obtained a license and Frequency prior to the purchase of the Equipment. NAFODU has also mobilized Community and sensitized local authorities. NAFODU has a organized a series of community meetings to mobilize communities. In addition, NAFODU organized a consultative meeting with local authorities in order to generate ideas on how to broadcast programmes
Some of the Local authorities during the meeting
The Board has identified the following Departments to guide the operations of Freedom Radio has the following Departments 1. Editorial This department is in charge of gathering news from all corners of the country and broadcasting it accurately and objectively to our listeners. It will be headed by the Chief News Editor 2. Marketing This is the department that is responsible for advertising, sales and promoting the radio station to our listeners and the general public. It will be headed by the Marketing Manager. 3. Programmes The programmes department is responsible for research, collecting information, developing and designing listener friendly programmes. It will be headed by the Programmes Manager. 4. Accounts and Audit This department will be generally responsible for the finances of the Radio Station. It will be headed by the Accountant and Internal Auditor. 5. Technical The Technical department will have technicians who will be in charge of maintenance of the radio’s various transmission equipments and ensuring that the signal is consistent with listeners’ expectations. It will be headed by the Chief Technician.
2) Purchase of Radio Equipment
NAFODU has purchased equipment from Signis Italy Rome. The equipment that has been purchased include the following a) Mixing console with telephone hybrid b) Studio condenser microphones c) Field production microphones d) Monitor speakers with built-in amplifiers e) Headphones f) 4-way headphone amplifier g) Soundcard h) Microphone stands i) Shielded cable (100 m.) with XLR and RCA connectors j) P-4 audio editing computer k) UPS 350 VA l) FM transmitter m) Omni directional 4-layer transmission antenna n) Antenna feeder cable o) 30-m. antenna mast p) Equipment transportation and installation q) Portable recorders Presenters in the Studios of Freedom Radio Presenters in the Studios of Freedom Radio
3) Renovation of the Broadcasting House
NAFODU has renovated the building that is working as a broadcasting House. The house is located on Plot 6, Bwankosya Road, Kabale Municipality. The House will have a broadcasting Studio, Production Studio, News Room, Office of the Director, Office of the Station Manager as well as the Community Multi Media Centre.
Freedom Radio Broadcasting House Freedom Radio Broadcasting House
Broadcasting House Showing the Satellite Dish donated by DW Germany and the Studio to Transmitter Link Antenna
Freedom Radio is a community Radio station. It broadcasts Programs with the aim of promote cultural, economic, political, environmental, and social development and responsibility. All the programme aim at achieving its objective for which the Radio station was established to educate, entertain and inform its listeners and promote cultural, economic, political, environmental, and social development and responsibility. 3) Construction of the Mast NAFODU has constructed a guyed mast at Kihumuro Road. Kihumuro Hill is located 20kms from Kabale Town.
Freedom Radio Mast at Kihumuro Hill Freedom Radio Mast Under construction
Establishment of Community Multi-Media Centre
NAFODU has established a CMC with modern internet facilities to allow the communities to reap the benefits of new information technologies and access to vital information which are not normally available through other channels. Like Freedom Radio, the Community Multimedia Centre is located at Associations House, Plot 6 Bwankosya Road in Kabale Town at Freedom Radio Offices. Services offered at Freedom Radio Multimedia Centre include 1) Training in production, management and administrative skills to youth to be radio presenters, producers and reporters. 2) Computer training 3) Internet Services 4) Secretarial and Binding Services 5) Printing and Photocopying Services 6) Laminating, CD Burning and Scanning 7) Faxing Services 8) Stationary
Construction of the Transmitting House at Kihumuro Hill
NAFODU has constructed a transmitting House at Kihumuro Hill and the House has four Rooms. The first room is for the Transmitters, the second room is for the Generator, the Third Room is for the Security Guard. The Fouth room is a store Freedom Radio Transmitting House at Kihumuro Hill 20kms from Broadcasting House in Kabale Town Conclusion Freedom Radio will really serve as one of the communication channels in south Western Uganda and will encourage target communities to participate in programme activities and replicate skills acquired. Freedom Radio will continue to play its role well by encouraging its listening communities in south Western Uganda to keep faith and support to the station. Freedom Radio will make social, economical, political and cultural impact in the districts it covers. The station will largely be used as a tool for promoting Human Rights, Democracy, Good Governance and Development.
