Text of report by Emmanuel Mulondo entitled “UBC lays off over 200, closes Butebo section ” published by Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor website on 26 June,The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation [UBC] has laid off over 200 employees leaving only less than 50 employees to run UBC Television and Radio Uganda. The lay off has also seen the closing of some of the sections of Radio Uganda broadcasting in a number of languages.
The Butebo section, which has been broadcasting in the eastern languages of Lusoga, Lunyole, Lugwere, Samya, Ku-Sabiny, Ateso and Karamajong has been closed.
The laid off employees, however, complain that the exercise was irregular and are seeking audience with either the president or the minister of information, Mr Kirunda Kivejinja.
At the time, a number of employees were laid off because they had clocked retirement age. Others were incompetent while some were laid off because of misconduct.
“This meant that those of us who remained were qualified. But we have been laid off in a criteria which we think was not based on qualification,” some of the victims told Daily Monitor on Friday.
The recent lay-off staff got letters signed by Mr Chris Katuramu, the chairman of the Corporation’s board.
“We regret to inform you that the corporation will not require your service with effect from June 15, 2006. Arrange to hand over to your head of department,” read the lay-off letters in part. Some of those laid off included long-serving Chris Kitambo, Fred Musisi, Ismael Kigozi and Charles Byekwaso.
(Source: Daily Monitor website, Kampala, in English 26 Jun 06 via BBC Monitoring/Radio Netherlands-Media Network Weblog)
