Apply for Community Radio Licence In Uganda By Online
The Uganda communications commission(UCC)is required to grant licenses to the broadcast service companies, in accordance the Uganda Communications Act, 2013. Apply in person
- A request for a licence to broadcast community radio is completed on the Application Form for a Community Broadcasting Licence and in conformity with the guidelines for applications of community broadcasting that are issued by the Commission.This application form as well as the guidelines are accessible on the Commission’s website to download for free.
- When you download your Application Form, fill it and send it to the Authority the completed application form as well as the necessary supporting documents , as specified within the form.The officer who will receive your application will verify the accuracy of the form to confirm that it meets the requirements for licensing and will then approve your application when received.
- The cashier will send you the Payment Instruction Form that the cashier can use to collect the required application fees.Once payment is made, the Register that contains the details of your application will be updated with the information you provided on your application.
- The officer receiving the application will forward the application along with any accompanying documents on to the following officer for further review as well as confirmation of whether the request has been reviewed and is in accordance with all conditions.
- Evaluation team Evaluation team will write an evaluation report and then present the report for the Communications Licensing Committee (CLC) to be considered further.
- The Commission for Licensing Communications Committee(CLC)shall consider the application on the basis of the evaluation report and either recommend or not accept the application for the approval of a license.
- In the wake of the CLC, the Commission must, in accordance of the CLC decision complete the following functions:
- in the event that the application is not approved for granting an approval, an official communication must be prepared to inform the applicant of the reasons why the application was rejected and the criteria for applications to be considered further in the event that they are applicable.
- when the application is being considered for award of a license when the application is recommended for approval, the process of gazing the application must be started
- when CLC requires that the application undergoes additional processes before being recommended for licensing, the applicant will be changed if needed.
- If the application is approved, the Commission must prepare a notice to publish the intention to grant a licence within the Uganda Gazette.The notice will be valid for a time period, which is 30 days, and the Commission will send an official notice with the applicant who is successful advising the applicant about its publication on the Uganda Gazette and the expiry date of the Gazette notice.
- The Commission shall monitor the application on the Uganda Gazette for any representations/objections and also shall address any representations or objections.A copy of the representation(if any)shall be forwarded to the applicant for information and/or to provide clarifications on issues.
- At the close of the gazette period, the Commission will submit license applications to be considered to the Board.
- After the Board decision, the Commission will, as per the Board directive, issue an official notification to inform the applicant on the Board decision, and
- When the application is accepted, prepare an official notification regarding the offer of licence to inform the applicant of the conditions of the offer including the necessary fee(s)and the validity of the offer and
- If the application is rejected, prepare an formal communication that informs the applicant of the reason the reason why the application was not successful and of the requirements for the application to be further processed, if appropriate;
- After the applicant has made a payment in accordance with the timeframe of the offer to license, the Commission will prepare a draft licence that outlines the conditions and terms for the licence.The applicant is obliged to accept the offer before the next step can move on.
- The Commission will issue an authorization for construction valid for a predetermined period(6-12 months)during that time the licensee is expected to construct the necessary infrastructure to support the broadcasting service, and to conduct the required tests.
- After the licensee has informed the Commission regarding the successful completion of the installation of the station, the Commission will conduct examination of the facility and listen to test transmissions, and should they be satisfied, recommend the issue of the license to the applicant.If unhappy with the design, the Commission will recommend to the applicant the particular concerns that must be addressed as well as the date for reviewing the matter.In the event that the applicant is unable to resolve any deficiencies within the timeframe, the license offer will be cancelled and the applicant fully informed.
- The Commission issues the broadcasting license after an inspection that is successful conducted by the Commission.
- The license for community radio is required to be renewed through the annual payment of prescribed fees for licences.
- The details of the applicant and licensees will be recorded and stored in the Register of Licensees.
Required Documents For Apply for Community Radio Licence
- A cover letter, signed by the applicant, addressed to the Director of the Executive Director(see the address below)on the head of the letter addressed to the applicant.
- For Uganda Government Entities, the Application letter should be signed by the Institution’s Chief Executive Officer
- Initial form(Certificate of Incorporation)or its equivalent from the of Companies or the Registrar of Companies/ relevant ministry with the names of shareholders and directors of the company/entity as well as specifics of their nationality as well as the shareholding of each (should not be older than two (2) months from the date of issue). ( must not be more by more than (2) month from date of the issue) in addition to (Note: Uganda Government Agencies are exempt from this requirement.)
- Copy of Certificate of Incorporation/Business Name/Registration Certificates or equivalent and for other shareholder companies where there is chain ownership in the applicant (Note: Uganda Government Agencies are exempted from this requirement)
- Copies of necessary documents in the following list:
- Cooperative Society’s By-Laws, Membership Contract The Terms and Conditions minutes of its AGM and the authorizing venture for the services for which the license is sought, and the details of directors who have been appointed or
- Partnership Deed to name a business or
- Constitution of the Society Membership Agreement Terms and Conditions, minutes of its AGM in which it authorised the venture into services for which a license is sought, and the specifics of directors who have been appointed.
- Ugandan National Identification Cards(ID)or authentic Ugandan passports for members of Directors or Shareholders for the Applicant.Both sides of the ID must be copied on the exact page of A4 paper. Passport copies must include pages that indicate the nationality the date of issue, expiry date, the name and photograph of the person who holds it. (Note:Uganda Government agencies are exempt from this condition)
- Tax Compliance Certificate/Tax Exemption Certification for the entity applying to be issued by Uganda Revenue Authority.
Office Locations and Contacts
Uganda Communications Commission
Plot 42-44, Spring road, Bugolobi
P.O. Box 7376, Kampala,Uganda
+256 414 339000/312 339000
Toll Free 0800133911
Contact Email: ucc@ucc.co.ug
Webite:link Uganda Communication Commission
Eligibility
- Anyone person(s) or any company and partnerships that are that are registered in Uganda may apply for an licence. However, political parties, movements, and human rights activists aren’t eligible to apply to apply for a broadcasting licence.
- Anyone in Uganda who is involved in communication with the community as well as transmission of energy via radio;
- Any transmission of energy or communication between communities or signal via radio, or any radio-related emission or communications that originate or are received in Uganda, or intended for use within Uganda.
- Unlicensed and unregulated devices and equipment susceptible to emitting energy radio frequency via conductivity, radiation, or other methods as to interfere with radio communications in the Community are eligible for this kind of licence.
Fee
Entry fee/change in ownership (One off fee)
- 33,000,000(National Commercial Radio-Tier 1,)
- 25,000,000(Commercial Regional Stations Radio-Tier 2)
- 20,000,000(for commercial Radio Tier 3)
- 15,000,000(for commercial Radio Tier 4)
- (200,000)Community/Non Commercial Radios
For more information about the charges, click here: Fees charges Link 1.
Validity
A license issued pursuant to the Act can be used for a year and will expires on December 31 each year.
Documents to Utilize
Processing Time
Maximum processing Time 2 Months.
Instructions
- The purpose of the License will be to govern Radio communications in the Community.
- The goal of the Regulations is generally to provide guidelines for the effective utilization and control for radio spectrum assets, without creating interference that is harmful through established rules.
The Commission will be able to exercise its power.
- to have complete control over all radiocommunications and radio.
- to revoke a license of any operator if there is sufficient evidence to satisfy the Commission of the following:
- The company has committed, caused, assisted or encouraged the infringement of the Act or any regulations issued pursuant to the Act or the terms of a licence granted pursuant to the Act;
- In the absence of executing an order that was legally issued by the Commission;
- willfully damaged or allowed radio equipment or installations to be damaged
- broadcasting superfluous community radio communications or signals or deliberately transmit false or misleading signals, communications, a call signal or a letter that was not given by the Commission and/or the station where he or she operates;
- deliberately or maliciously interfering in any radio signal or radio communication or
- sought or attempted to obtain, or helped another operator obtain or attempt to obtain an operator’s license through fraudulent methods.
- to examine all radio facilities that are associated with stations that must be licensed or that the Commission authorizes to operate without a license and to determine if in construction, installation and operation, the community radio stations meet the standards of the Regulations and the Act;
- to be able to monitor the use of radio frequencies and radio communications to monitor frequency use and radio communications in Uganda;
- to authorize for the operating of radio stations in Community with no licences for emergencies or war-related disasters;
- to issue a temporary authorization when the delay in the granting of a licence will be detrimental to the public interest or if there are exceptional circumstances that require an authorisation for a temporary period to protect the public prior the conclusion of the procedure to grant an authorization to be issued.
- to define the way in how spectrum of radio frequencies can be used for experiments.
Requirements Information
- Name of Station
- Name of the applicant
- Frequency
- Power output maximum of the transmitter
- Transmitter Location
- Studio Location
- District of operation
- Postal Address
- Years of operation
- Expiration date of broadcast licence
- Name(s) as well as Nationalities of Directors
- Copy of valid license document that was issued by UCC;
- Instruction manuals for service to help technical personnel to perform the required installation operations, maintenance and operation of transmitters and other equipment.
- Maintenance and operation log book which includes the performance of the transmission equipment, maintenance work and any modifications to transmission equipment during maintenance or re-installations.
- Certificates of Type Approval granted from UCC to FM broadcast transmitters, STL equipment(as appropriate) as well as band pass filters and
- A copy of the electrical clearance document from UMEME Ltd/ other electricity distribution licenses issued by Electricity Regulation Authority(ERA) to the station’s location and the transmission facilities.
The Document is required
- The Uganda Communications Commission is mandated to license all broadcasting service providers in accordance with the Uganda Communications(Amendment)Act, 2013.
- According to the regulations of the Act 2013 it is unlawful to offer any broadcasting services to Uganda without a licence.
Information that could be helpful
A person cannot, without a license obtained by the Commission
- set up or use any radio station, or provide radio communications services;
- Sell, lease, or remove any radio communication equipment, as specified in Act 1 Uganda Communications Act 2013.
- manufacture,possess,install,connect or operate any radio communications apparatus or interference-causing apparatus.
Note:
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is authorized under Section 5 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 to, among other things:
- monitor,inspect,licence,supervise,control and regulate communication services(which includes FM radio broadcasting services).
- allocate,license,standardize and manage the use of the radio frequency spectrum resources in a manner that ensures widest variety of programming and optimal utilization of spectrum resources;
- Set national standards and ensure that they are in line to international and national standards and obligations imposed in international communication agreements as well as conventions of which Uganda is a signatory;
- Set standards, monitor compliance and enforce it with respect to the content.
- In addition to the above, UCC has issued guidelines for the creation and operation the FM station that is operating in Uganda.