Indigenous Language Media and Freedom of Expression in Uganda

Book chapter published in Indigenous Language Media, Language Politics and Democracy in Africa. Edited by: Abiodun Salawu Monica B. Chibita and Sarantakos. -- This book deals with the often-neglected link between indigenous languages, media and democracy in Africa. It recognizes that the media plays an amplifying role that is vital to modern-day expression, public participation and democracy but that without the agency to harness media potential, many Africans will be excluded from public discourse.Since the liberation of Uganda’s broadcast media sector two decades ago, the sector has seen considerable growth. The number of channels has multiplied and the programming menu has taken on a more global and commercial(ized) character as local media houses have had to compete for audiences with regional and global media. At the same time, there has been significant growth in the volume of programming in the indigenous languages across the broadcast spectrum as most media owners acknowledge the need to be relevant to local audiences. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and particularly the mobile phone, have flourished, notwithstanding persistent urban-rural disparities in access. In this context, it is pertinent to evaluate the performance of the electronic media in enhancing freedom of expression