Uganda - Apply for a Radio Commercial Broadcasting License-FM

ProcedureEdit

Step 1
A person interested in offering FM radio broadcasting services in Uganda is required to submit a formal expression of interest to UCC (in writing) to provide FM radio broadcasting services. Or write directly to the commissioner at:

Uganda Communication Commission House
Plot 42-44 Spring Road, Bugolobi
P. O.Box 7376, Kampala, Uganda.

Step 11
The expression of this application should highlight the type of planned programming content (e.g. music, news, education etc.), the planned location of the FM radio station and desired geographical area(s) of coverage.

Step 111
On receipt of this expression of interest application,UCC will study the availability of radio spectrum in the geographical area highlighted and advise accordingly.

The UCC shall look at the following considerations in determining the availability of spectrum in a particular geographical area.

The interference in the FM broadcasting in terms of distance coverage from another radio frequency to see whether there is a sufficiently distant from each other in terms of coverage area.
the minimum separation in bandwidth defined by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) if complied with.
the "guard bands" left to minimize interaction with the adjacent frequency band.
the use of frequencies if not interfered with neighbouring countries.
The number of existing broadcasters in that particular region and adjacent regions.
If the spectrum planning meets the FM Broadcasting Planning Regions requirements as set by UCC since Uganda as a country has been divided into fourteen (14) spectrum regions.

Step 1V
After fulfillment of the above requirements reservation is made by UCC and applicant duly advised to progress with submission of relevant documents on the application form UCC4002-SM-ADM-01.However, such reservation is conditional on the applicant: -

Completing the license and spectrum authorization application process within a stated time frame; and
Formally accepting the technical permissible parameters associated with usage of the reserved spectrum.

Step V
When the above process is successfully done then the applicant can proceed to pay for the license application fees of 6,240,000 for a Non Commercial Radio Stations and 9,400,000 for Commercial Radio Stations respectively.
Then attach and submit the following documents:

Certificate of incorporation,
Memorandum and Articles of Association,
Business plan,
Financial Statements,
Tax Clearance Certificates, and
Technical information highlighted.

Step VI

If an application is found satisfactory by UCC, the applicant shall then be advised and required to pay the applicable annual License fees (that are dependent on the area of coverage), spectrum fees and type approval fees.
This must be fulfilled prior to the issuance of a radio broadcasting license agreement and operating certificate, a spectrum authorization (which includes the frequency assignment), type approval certificates for broadcasting equipment and the commencement of business.

Step VII

Before commencing operations (being going on air), a licensed FM radio station shall invite UCC again to inspect the established station to confirm that all the requirements are in place.
The FM radio station can use the self-inspection checklist to establish readiness for and prepare for such inspection.
A copy of the checklist is provided by the UCC or check on the website of UCC.
- If some of the requirements are found not to be in place during the first inspection, the station shall be notified in writing. UCC shall then carry out a subsequent inspection upon receiving confirmation of rectification of any anomalies and an invitation to re-inspect.
- On meeting all the requirements, UCC shall issue a clearance to the licensed FM radio station to commence operations.
- In the event that the station’s facilities do not meet the technical requirements after the second inspection, UCC shall commence with the process of withdrawal of the spectrum authorization as provided for under the spectrum withdrawal guidelines.

Required DocumentsEdit

Business Plan

Business objectives.
Business concept (business and service/product description, customer and geographical coverage etc).
Economic, market and financial analysis (with proposed initial prices and cash flow statement).
Evidence of capital (bank deposits, credit facilities and audited accounts).
Operations arrangements (human resource plan, customer service plan, support arrangements).

Company profile

Nature and structure of the applicant (a subsidiary, associated companies, joint ventures, etc).
Certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the company in Uganda.
Certified copy of the Certificate of registration (if not incorporated in Uganda).
Certified copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Technical application

Detailed description of planned infrastructure facilities, indicating technology to be used, capacities to be installed (in switching and transmission facilities) and illustrated with network diagram.
Facilities/infrastructure sharing initiatives taken or planned leasing from other licensed providers.
Roll out plan.
Essential resource/ facilities requirements.
Interconnection interface arrangements/requirements.
Disaster recovery plan.
Demonstration of technical experience and capability as well as access to technical expertise and experience.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Uganda Communications Commission - Head Office,
Plot 42 - 44, Spring road, Bugolobi
Kampala, Uganda
P.O. Box 7376
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: + 256 414 339000/ 312 339000
Fax: + 256 414 348832
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: Link

EligibilityEdit

Any person within Uganda, engaged in communication or transmission of energy by radio;
Any transmission of energy, communication or signal by radio or any radio emission or communication originating or received within Uganda, or intended to be used in Uganda.
All unlicensed and unregulated devices and equipment whose operation is capable of emitting radio frequency energy by radiation, conduction or other means as to cause interference to radio communication are eligible for this type of Licence.
Any manufacturer, importer, seller, offer for sale, shipment or use of a device, equipment or system, capable of emitting radio frequency energy by any means.

FeesEdit

Application processing fees (One off fee)

6,240,000 (Non Commercial Radio Stations)
9,400,000 (Commercial Radio Stations)

Initial entry fee/change in ownership (One off fee)

33,000,000 (National commercial Radio–Tier 1)
25,000,000 (Commercial Regional Stations Radio-Tier 2)
20,000,000 (for commercial Radio Tier 3)
15,000,000 (for commercial Radio Tier 4)
(200,000) Community/Non Commercial Radios

For More information on the charges Visit this Link: charges Link 1

ValidityEdit

Validity: 1 Year

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample DocumentsEdit

Application Form

Processing TimeEdit

Maximum Processing Time: 2 Months

InstructionsEdit

Purpose of this License is to regulate the radio communication.
The objective of these Regulations is generally to establish a framework for the efficient use and management of radio spectrum resources without causing harmful interference through set measures.

The Commission shall have the power

to exercise exclusive control over all radio communication and radio.
to suspend a licence of any operator upon sufficient proof which satisfies the Commission that the licensee:
- violated, caused, aided, or abetted the violation of the Act, any regulations made under the Act or terms of a licence issued under the Act;
- failed to carry out a lawful order of the Commission;
- wilfully damaged or permitted radio apparatus or installations to be damaged;
- transmitted superfluous radio communications or signals or knowingly transmitted false or deceptive signals, communication, a call signal or letter which was not assigned by the Commission, to the station he or she is operating;
- wilfully or maliciously interfered with any other radio communication or signal; or
- obtained or attempted to obtain, or assisted another operator to obtain or to attempt to obtain an operator’s licence by fraudulent means.
- to inspect all radio installations associated with stations required to be licensed, or which the Commission authorises to operate without a licence and to ascertain whether in construction, installation, and operation the radio installations conform to the requirements of these Regulations or the Act;
to monitor radio communications and frequency use in Uganda;
to authorise the operation of radio stations without licences in respect of emergency or war disaster situations;
to grant a temporary authorisation where delay in the grant of a licence would seriously prejudice the public interest or where there are extraordinary circumstances requiring temporary authorisation in the public interest before the completion of the procedures for the grant of a licence authorised to be issued; and
to prescribe the manner in which parts of the radio frequency spectrum may be made available for experimentation.

Required InformationEdit

Name of Station
Name of Applicant
Frequency
Maximum power output of transmitter
Transmitter Location
Studio Location
District of operation
Postal Address
Number of years in operation
Date of expiry of broadcast licence
Name(s) and Nationalities of Directors
Copy of valid license certificate issued by UCC;
Instruction service manuals to enable technical personnel carry out the necessary installation, operation and maintenance of transmitter and other equipment;
Operational and maintenance log book that includes operational performance, maintenance works and changes made to the transmission equipment during maintenance or re-installations;
Copy of Type approval certificates issued by UCC for FM broadcast transmitter, STL equipment (as applicable) and band pass filter; and
Copy of an electrical installation clearance certificate from UMEME Ltd/ other electricity distribution licensed by Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) for the station premises and transmission facility.

Need for the DocumentEdit

Please provide the need for the procedure. e.g. Birth Certificate - why do we need to have a birth certificate?

Information which might helpEdit

A person shall not, without a licence issued by the Commission

establish or use any radio station or provide radio communication services;
sell, let, hire or otherwise dispose of any radio communications apparatus; as stated in Act 1 Uganda Communications Act 2013 22
manufacture, possess, install, connect or operate any radio communications apparatus or interference-causing apparatus.

Note:
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is mandated under Section 5 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013 to, among others:

monitor, inspect, licence, supervise, control and regulate communication services (which includes FM radio broadcasting services).
allocate, license, standardize and manage the use of the radio frequency spectrum resources in a manner that ensures widest variety of programming and optimal utilization of spectrum resources;
set national standards and ensure compliance with national and international standards and obligations laid down by international communication agreements and treaties to which Uganda is a party;
set standards, monitoring and enforce compliance relating to content.
In furtherance of the above, UCC has developed guidelines on the establishment and operation of an FM radio station in Uganda.

External LinksEdit

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.