WOUGNET, in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), conducted a digital migration workshop in Uganda held at Colline Hotel Mukono on the 6th of February 2014.The purpose of the national workshop was to create awareness and share information on digital migration, discuss the digital migration issues identified and develop a manifesto in order to build capacity and a common level of understanding amongst the stakeholders.
The output of the workshop was: agreement on the focus issue, interventions and outcomes for advocacy activities to raise awareness among consumers, media and civil society organisations.
The workshop focused on these specific issues:
- Cost implications of digital migration
- Variety of programs
- The quality of pictures
- Availability of set top boxes
- Waste management
- Contribution of content according to needs of the consumers
We also had expert presentation from many stakeholders including from Mr. Russell Southwood of the Balancing Act Consultancy firm.
As a result of this workshop, WOUGNET has also been invited by APC to present a paper on the digital migration process in Uganda; its status and action points at the CTO Digital Broadcasting Switchover Forum in Arusha (11th-14th February), Tanzania.
The forum is one of the most prestigious events on digital broadcasting in Africa. It provides a unique and authoritative annual meeting point for policymakers and regulators to interact with broadcasters, content developers, broadcast network infrastructure providers and operators, equipment manufacturers and opinion leaders to discuss challenges, solutions and opportunities in the ever more fragmented, competitive and innovative broadcasting industry. WOUGNET’s Gender and ICT Policy Advocacy Program Head, Ms. Goretti Amuriat, is in Arusha.