Uganda: Digital Migration - Which Way Uganda?

The clock is silently ticking as the June 15 deadline is fast-approaching for all countries across the globe to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting. Statistics from a survey by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) show that only 15% of households in Uganda have a TV set - which could probably explain the apparent lack of enthusiasm in the population. But barely three months to the deadline, the future could be bleak for those who love watching TV. Of more than five million TV sets, more than 90% are still transmitting on analogue signals and the situation might not have changed by June 15.

Unfortunately, there are no official figures to show what percentage of TVs are hooked onto a decoder/set top box as UCC doesn't have the numbers and the service providers don't want to divulge their customer numbers. However, it is clear that the vast majority of TV owners cannot afford either the high installation costs or the highly priced monthly subscription charges or both.

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