By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: A recent study by Twaweza reveals that Ugandan citizens’ media habits are diverging, with radio remaining the primary source of news for many, while online conversations dominate for others. According to the research brief, “Who’s engaged, who’s excluded?”, 56% of citizens rely on radio for news, down from 79% seven years ago.
The study, based on data from Sauti za Wananchi, Africa’s first nationally representative high-frequency mobile phone survey, collected responses from 2,741 citizens between January 9th and February 13th, 2024. It found that poorer citizens, rural residents, older individuals, and those with lower education levels remain highly dependent on radio, while young, educated, urban, and relatively wealthy citizens prefer TV and online news.
Internet usage is rising rapidly, driven by mobile phones and social media. In just three years, mobile internet access increased from 15% to 24%. However, 76% of citizens did not access the internet in the previous four weeks, effectively excluding them from the many benefits internet access can bring.
Social media use is dominated by young, relatively wealthy, and well-educated urban residents. WhatsApp is the leading social networking service, used by 20% of citizens, up from 11% three years earlier. Facebook follows with 14%, and TikTok with 9%. Twitter and Instagram have minimal presence.
Beyond media consumption, community engagement remains strong. Three out of four citizens (73%) report attending at least one community meeting in the previous year. Men (78%) are more likely to attend than women (67%). Attendance at community meetings has returned to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels.
These findings highlight the evolving media landscape and civic engagement in Uganda, emphasizing the need for inclusive and accessible media platforms. As social media continues to transform Uganda’s political and social landscape, its impact on society and ability to mobilize action against the status quo remains a subject of interest.
Violet Alinda, Country Lead for Twaweza in Uganda, said: “This is a reminder to all of us that different people in Uganda lead very different lives. This has always been the case, but it is significant that our media environment is increasingly becoming divided between a small, highly online group and the majority who never use the internet and continue to depend on the radio.
This has potentially concerning implications, especially if discussions shift online and decisions are influenced by online conversations that most citizens remain excluded from. We need to protect the ole of offline spaces for citizens to engage in public debate and to make their voices heard– such as community meetings. And those of us who are active online should remind ourselves that what we see represented there is only a small minority of Uganda.”
These findings were shared during the Commemoration of the International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) today that ran under theme ‘Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector,” with a specific focus on the recommendations from the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
TWAWEZA organized this event in collaboration with African Freedom of Information Center (AFIC), Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Makerere University and Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.