IWPR News

New Radio Show for Uganda

IWPR launches programme on human rights and justice in the north of the country.

(20-01-10)

	Facing Justice - Uganda. Available on iwpr.net

A new IWPR-produced radio programme on rights issues will start airing on four radio stations in northern Uganda from January 25, 2010.

Facing Justice is IWPR’s new 25-minute radio production, discussing issues of human rights and justice in northern Uganda.

The IWPR Uganda radio project produces the programme in English and two local languages: Luo and Ateso. It will be broadcast twice a month.

Facing Justice is part of IWPR’s efforts to provide reliable and objective information on issues affecting the daily lives of Ugandans in the north of the country. The programme will contribute to building long-term stability in the post-conflict era.

The radio show comprises in-depth reports from IWPR-trained reporters across northern Uganda, in Gulu, Soroti, Lira and Arua.

“The reporters contributing to the programme have a deep understanding of the local issues in northern Uganda and their context. This will be of great benefit to our audience,” said Moses Odokonyero, IWPR’s Programme Coordinator based in Gulu.

The Facing Justice programme in Uganda is part of IWPR’s successful series of Facing Justice shows covering justice and human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the former Yugoslavia.

It will be broadcast on four Ugandan radio stations who have partnered with IWPR: Mega FM in Gulu, Radio Pacis in Arua, Radio Rhino in Lira and Voice of Teso in Soroti.

The first programme of this new series will feature reports on disputes over land rights, police and security developments in the region and the difficulties preventing some internally displaced persons from returning to their villages.

According to local studies, up to 90 per cent of the population of northern Uganda listens to radio every day, and about the same percentage cites radio as the most important source of information about what is happening in their community.

IWPR’s partner stations expect the new programme to play a crucial role in providing their audiences with vital information and viewpoints on subjects related to the post-conflict landscape in northern Uganda.

Facing Justice welcomes listeners’ questions and comments on the programme and opinions and concerns will form the basis of discussion in future shows.

For more information, please contact IWPR International Justice reporter Simon Jennings, simon@iwpr.net

ABOUT IWPR

IWPR undertakes capacity-building programmes in more than two dozen areas of crisis and conflict around the world. Established in 1993, its work focuses on training, reporting and institution-building. This includes establishing independent local media; training local reporters, editors and producers in basic and specialist skills; supporting extensive in-depth reporting on human rights, good governance and related issues; disseminating fact-based reporting in developing countries and internationally; and strengthening communications capacity of local human rights, women’s and grassroots organisations.