Minister Balaam to acquire Maria Kiwanuka’s Radio One Mbale frequency license

Media entrepreneur and State Minister for Children and Youth affairs, Balaam Barugahara, has applied for the transfer of a license from Radio One Limited to Baitu Group Limited, according to a public notice from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). 

The UCC public notice shows Minister Barugahara under his Baitu Group, has applied for the Radio one license with Mbale District being his area of operation. 

Radio census details from ICT Ministry show, Radio One Limited whose proprietor is former Finance Minister, Maria Kiwanuka, broadcasts in different frequencies in several districts across Uganda, including Radio One 90.0 in Kampala, Radio One at 98.9 in Mbale and Radio One at 107.7 in Mbarara. 

Minister Barugahara holds 99 percent shareholding in Baitu Group, while the 1 percent is held by Karuhanga Benta Abwooli and the company is located in Ntinda on Plot 20, Kakungulu road.  According to UCC, the company offers commercial radio broadcasting services. The Group was previously known as Balaam Marketing Agency specialising in media services, marketing and events.

Jeff Kiwanuka, the Radio One Administrator referred the CEO Magazine to UCC for further details on the development, noting the license quoted in the public notice was for a booster frequency in Mbale, not Kampala.

Radio One proprietor, Mrs. Kiwanuka only referred us to the radio station for further details, insisting that she was in the field. 

Balaam has in the last few years invested heavily in the media industry  and owns  Radio 4 in Kampala, Radio 7 in Masindi District, Radio 8 in Masaka District, another Radio 8 in the Elgon region, and Radio One in South Sudan.  

The addition of the Radio One Mbale frequency is a big boost to the Youth Minister, considering it is one of the oldest stations established in 1997, and has withstood the test of broadcasting in Uganda, as others fall off. 

Neither UCC nor Balaam could provide details on this development by press time.

This is a developing story, and we shall keep updating you…