UCC to Transition FM Radio Stations to Digital Audio Broadcast

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has unveiled plans to shift all FM radio stations currently using outdated frequencies to a modern digital audio broadcasting system. This transition is designed to enhance broadcast quality, addressing current challenges within the existing FM infrastructure.

Fred Otunnu, UCC’s Director for Corporate Affairs, highlighted the congestion within the FM spectrum. He explained that no new radio stations can be assigned frequencies unless another station is removed. The overcrowded FM band is also causing interference, leading to diminished signal clarity for many broadcasters.

“We have conducted trials, which have been largely successful despite some minor issues. We’ve moved forward with public consultations and are now advancing toward the policy stage. FM bandwidth is finite, and numerous African countries have already adopted digital broadcasting,” Otunnu noted.

At a recent Car-Free Day event hosted by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Irene Ochwo, a project supervisor for digital radio in the city, revealed that the UCC and KCCA are setting up a digital broadcast station in Kampala due to the lack of available FM frequencies. Ochwo mentioned that they are distributing free digital receivers to listeners in the area to gather feedback on signal reception.

“Digital audio broadcasting (DAB) works differently from FM. For example, while FM signals degrade in valleys, DAB cuts off when obstructed but immediately restores once the obstruction is cleared,” Ochwo explained. The team is conducting extensive research to identify signal strengths and weaknesses across Kampala, a key step in finalizing the transition framework.

At present, several radio stations, including Radio Kampala and 93.3 KFM, are already operating online. The UCC is expecting more stations to join the platform, which has the capacity to host a significantly larger number of broadcasters than FM.

Otunnu further stated that out of 250 registered radio stations in Uganda, many apply for frequencies annually. The transition to digital will resolve the current capacity issues, allowing new entrants into the market.

Historically, radio broadcasting in Uganda has evolved in tandem with global technological advancements. There was a transition from Amplitude Modulation (AM) to Frequency Modulation (FM). With the rise of online streaming, digital broadcasting represents the next phase in this progression, promising to meet the demands of Uganda’s growing media landscape.