Television in Uganda

PAL is the Television system in Uganda. Television broadcasting started in the early 1960s after government identified a need to disseminate information about her policies more effectively to a bigger number of citizens. In 1963 a state owned station, Uganda Television (UTV) was opened with production and transmission studios in Kampala, the capital city. The programmes aired were educative in nature with focus on agricultural, health, and political activities.
Little airtime was reserved for entertainment. From the time of its establishment in 1963, Television showed in Black and White until 1975 when colour was introduced at the time when Idi Amin Dada was president of the country.
Today UTV has got the widest coverage of over 75% and an audience of approximately 5 million viewers. 60% of aired programmes are local in-house productions, 30% foreign, and 10% local but supplied by local private production houses. For about 30 years, UTV was the only station dominating the Television industry.

The trend of Television industry in Uganda changed when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government liberalised broadcasting services in 1993. A total of 5 private Television stations have been established. , Lighthouse Television LTV opened in 1997 and airs Christian programmes for 24 hrs, Wavah Broadcasting Station WBS opened in 1997 and is operational. Top Television opened in 2000 and airs Christian programmes. Pulse Television is most recently opened in 2004. Sanyu Television STV opened in 1994 but is no longer operational. Channel Television CTV opened in 1997 but is no longer operational. Prepaid Television Multichoice Channel MNET with 4 channels of Cartoon network, Super spot 1, Movie magic, Movie magic 2 and the Digital Satellite Television DSTV with various channels from around the world are also available.