Vice President Jessica Alupo has emphasized the critical role of media freedom in driving Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. Speaking at the opening of a two-day Broadcast and Digital Media Convention held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Alupo highlighted the need for the media fraternity to operate with liberty and independence.
“Media freedom is very important and a potential force for the socio-economic transformation of our country,” Alupo said in her opening remarks.
The convention brought together a diverse group of stakeholders within the broadcast and digital space—including heads of media houses, content creators, policy makers, regulators, and technology providers to discuss innovation, deepen industry insights, and explore new commercial opportunities.
The first day featured several prominent speakers. Professor Lawrence Muganga spoke on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is reshaping content delivery and the practice of journalism. Ben Mwine, Head of Corporate Affairs and Partnerships at Next Media, addressed the evolution of content creation and its distribution across digital platforms.
Fred Ottunu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Uganda Communications Commission, discussed the growing influence of the internet, converged media platforms, and the emergence of AI. He noted how these developments are transforming how content is produced, distributed, and consumed.
“The shift in the media structure challenges us to remain agile, continuously build capacity, and adopt frameworks that protect consumers, promote innovation, and ensure media diversity in the digital space,” Ottunu said.
The Broadcast and Digital Media Convention serves as a platform for industry leaders, broadcasters, and digital content publishers to explore emerging technologies and trends. This year’s theme focused on artificial intelligence and its transformative effect on the media landscape.
The event featured discussions on AI’s influence on content creation, distribution, and audience engagement, as well as opportunities for networking and showcasing cutting-edge innovations in broadcasting and digital media.
