Twikyirize Mercy
Q: Could you tell me a bit about Uganda?
A: Uganda is located in the Western part of east Africa! It is a land locked country commonly known for its rich cultural and beautiful terrain. It was once described by sir Church Hill as the Pearl of Africa during his tour of Africa.
However, suffice to note is that Uganda is divided into three categories. The developed, the less developed and the undeveloped parts. We have unequal distribution of resources in that the gap between the haves and the have not's is so broad. Therefore, answering these questions, we have to put in mind that different regions of persons have different answers.
Q: How accessible are media technologies?
A: The accessibility of media technologies depends on who has money. From purchasing daily news papers, to owning a TV, a radio or a phone, it all depends on who can afford. For urban dwellers, a T.V set for each household is affordable. For the elite class, News papers are accessible. To the rural dwellers, they get their information from mostly Radios. You can find one radio serving the whole community. At the time of News, many people gather around it to listen to the news. With money, media technology is available for any to access. But Uganda being a poor economy, some times getting even the little money to access media technology may be a challenge.
Q: What technologies are being used?
A: Cell phones, mobile phones, TVs, radios are the commonly used technologies.
Q: Where is your information coming from?
A: Radios and TV's are the major source of our information since it broad casts shortly after the information is got. The news papers always release the information which the radio listeners and TV viewers have already received. However, since it is always detailed that the Radio or TV information, it is taken to be more reliable and therefore, even the people who received the information from Radio or TV will go ahead and consult a news paper for details. Social media is also a source of information. However, since this information is some times twisted, biased or exaggerated, many people cannot trust it unless it is confirmed to be true by the Radio, TV or News paper.
Q: Who is producing it?
A: The information we get is mainly locally generated from local sources. Most media houses are privately owned but though, the Government has a greater influence on which information to be passed over to the masses.
Q: Is information censored?
A: Our information is censored through The Uganda Communication Commission that is headed by Mutabaazi Godfrey. Also, we have a ministry of ICT that monitors all the activities of media houses. In 2018, more than 20 radio stations were closed because of airing false information.
Q: Favorite food?
A: Uganda being a country with more than 56 tribes, it so happened that almost every tribe has its own favorite food. However, Matooke is a stable food for people in the central part of Uganda, Irish potato is the stable food for most people in western Uganda, cassava is a staple food for most people in northern and eastern Uganda.
Q: Music listened to?
A: Ugandans listen most especially to the Local music. The most prominent music artists are Bobi Wine, Chameleone, Bebe cool, Juliana Kanyomozi, Eddy Kenzo, Irene Ntale etc.
Q: Unique cultural aspects?
A: Uganda has got a rich and diverse culture. Ugandan society is still relational and communal and people believe in good relations to live well together. We still believe in culture dances, music and drama as a way of passing over information. Cultural ceremonies like birth rites, twins initiation, marriage rituals are still regarded highly. Surprisingly, though Uganda, is believed that 84% is Christian, it has most of its people still believing in witch craft and traditional practices. it is the minority group of born again Christians which does not believe n most of these cultural practices.
Q: What is life like?
A: Despite of the poverty, disease and lack, Ugandans are generally happy. Even the poor of the poorest will find a way of enjoying life. Smiling, laughing, cracking jokes and dancing is apart of the Ugandan people, regardless of whether they have or have not. (c2)