Jim Muhwezi: Analogue System Likely Stay

Information and National Guidance Minister Jim K Muhwezi has said that areas which will have not been digitally covered by August 31, will continue receiving Television services through the Analogue system.

Jim K. Muhwezi, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE — Jim K. Muhwezi,
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by Muhwezi detailing how digital migration will be executed.

“The migration process has three phases, which include: A: The greater Kampala area, covering a radius of 65 Kilometers, which already covered. B: Arua, Mbarara, Masindi, Masaka, Mbale, Hoima and Kisoro, to be covered by 31st July 2015. C: Jinja, Lira, Kiboga, Kabale, Soroti, Gulu, Fort Portal, Rukungiri, Ntungamo and Rubirizi, to be covered by 31st August 2015… Any areas in Uganda that will have not been digitally covered by the above dates will continue receiving Television services through the Analogue system,” reads the statement.

He further said that Analogue to Digital Migration is intended to deliver an improved signal, with crisp picture quality and clearer audio (sound) waves. It will also enable television play a greater role in development.

“The Analogue to Digital switch was also envisaged to revamp over-all Television services, including enriched content so that Television plays a greater and more central role in the Development process,” the stamen added.

The switch is in fulfillment of the Geneva International Telecommunication Union Agreement of 2006, it was required of all affiliated Members countries (including Uganda) to migrate from Analogue to Digital Television broadcasting, not later than 17th July 2015.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which initiated 2006 agreement to migrate from analogue to digital system, is a Global standardization and regulatory body for Telecommunications, which includes Radio and Television Broadcasting.

Below is Jim’s Full Press statement

PRESS STATEMENT ON ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL MIGRATION IN UGANDA

As may be aware, Uganda effected the Analogue switch-off for Television on Monday, 15th June 2015. The switch-off, undertaken by Uganda Communications Communication, in the case of Uganda, was in fulfilment of an international deadline for the Analogue to Digital Migration.

This was necessary because Uganda has membership to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a Global standardisation and regulatory body for Telecommunications, which includes Radio and Television Broadcasting. Indeed, other countries in the Region and around the World have also complied with this International deadline.

The objective of the shift is to enhance the quality of services to viewers. Thus, at the Geneva International Telecommunication Union Agreement of 2006, it was required of all affiliated Members countries to migrate from Analogue to Digital Television broadcasting, not later than 17th July 2015.

The Analogue to Digital Migration is intended to deliver an improved signal, with crisp picture quality and clearer audio (sound) waves. Ultimately, the Analogue to Digital switch was also envisaged to revamp over-all Television services, including enriched content so that Television plays a greater and more central role in the Development process.

Ideally, we would like to have the whole of Uganda fully covered under the Analogue to Digital Migration. Government feels that this is the best way of having enhanced Television services, for purposes of informing, educating and entertaining our citizens. We also believe that quality Television services are part and parcel of entrenching transparency, accountability and democratisation – which the NRM Government stands for.

The migration process has three phases, which include:

A: The greater Kampala area, covering a radius of 65 Kilometres, which already covered.

B: Arua, Mbarara, Masindi, Masaka, Mbale, Hoima and Kisoro, to be covered by 31st July 2015.

C: Jinja, Lira, Kiboga, Kabale, Soroti, Gulu, FortPortal, Rukungiri, Ntungamo and Rubirizi, to be covered by 31st August 2015.

I encourage our viewers to buy genuine Set Top Boxes, which Signet. A Company affiliated to UBC is currently providing…..Displaying a Sample.

Any areas in Uganda that will have not been digitally covered by the above dates will continue receiving Television services through the Analogue system.

I, therefore, call upon all concerned Institutions and Individuals to ensure that the remaining aspects of the process are implemented to the letter. Television viewers and the general public are encouraged to continue seeking information about the migration process to ensure that, ultimately, no one is left behind.

The Migration process is a noble exercise intended to benefit the Country as whole. No one should, therefore, distort or attempt to distort it for any other motive(s)

I thank you for your attention.

For God and My Country.

Jim K. Muhwezi

MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE