The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There were celebrations in many parts of Tororo district today after it was announced that the licence and frequency for the Tororo Broadcasting radio business, operating under the name Rock City Radio, had been confirmed. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) confirmed today that RockCity Radio will be broadcast on 98.4fm.
“This is to certify that Tororo Broadcasting Network’s Rock City Radio is licensed to operate a commercial radio station in Tororo,” a certificate from UCC stated.
Soon after the certificate from UCC was received, Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited Board chairman Geresom Okecho-Ochwo said, “Nothing is more exciting than the news that after more than two years of waiting patiently, amidst frustrating moments, Tororo Broadcasting Network has been assigned a frequency- 98.4 FM and licensed to operate this 1st day of December 2022.”
The radio’s chief marketeer Jackson Oboth could not hide his joy. “Let the women ululate, let the men bring out fumbo and let the celebration begin,” he said after Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited Board chairman Geresom Okecho-Ochwo shared the news on social media. Geresom Okecho-Ochwo is also head of the radio fundraising committee of the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI).
Oboth heaped praise on TACI. “The gallant sons and daughters of Padhola under the TACI Radio Committee, we thank you for the resilience and utmost determination that have let us achieve this milestone. Above all we thank our very own warriors Minister Oboth Oboth and TACI Chair Jadwong Gersom Okecho. You have. arrived home with a huge entelope from your hunting expedition,” he said.
The radio that is set to broadcast to most parts of eastern Uganda and western Kenya, will eventually go live at the end of this year after three years of fundraising in the country and in the diaspora.
The latest boost came from President Yoweri Museveni, who fulfilled a government sh200million pledge that was needed by the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) to complete installations to power RockCity Radio.
Defence State Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth in October handed over the promised sh200million to the cultural leader of the Jopadhola, HRH Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, at his palace in Tororo.
Okecho-Ochwo said with the sh200m, the radio that is already on air online, will start live transmission and get onto Ugandans radios by January 1, 2023.
“Very soon, RockCity radio, 98.4 FM, our brandname, will saturate the airwaves globally. The state of the art studio will soon be fully functional and we shall be set to go,” he said.
“We assure you that we will be on air by end of this year. The radio will be managed purely on commercial basis to generate income for development of our region,” he said.
Okecho-Ochwo revealed that the radio has the 2nd tallest mast (45M high) on Tororo rock, a beautiful transmitter and generator house secured with palisade fencing.
“All this has become possible because of team work. I salute whoever has had a hand in this venture – thank you. Glory be to God for bringing us this far.”
Kwar Adhola Moses Owor earlier thanked the President for supporting TACI’s communication effort, stressing that the radio would be a great mobilisation tool for both local and central government.
“This radio will be used to tell our people the truth, spread development plans and cultural news. I urge you all to contribute as everyone is capable of making a contribution to grow Padhola,” he said. (WATCH RELATED VIDEO)
“Our humble appeal is to each and everyone who pledged money to fulfil their pledges. We shall in the same way appreciate any new cash pledges towards this cause,” Okecho-Ochwo said. He revealed the escalating costs of construction materials have to a great extent negatively affected TACI’s resource envelope.
Tororo radio on air online already
💠 Azawi – Repeat It
ROCKCITY RADIO
LIVE – ONLINE 📻🇺🇬#testing
🎵🎶🎙️🎻https://t.co/SyzDVq6Iew#TRC #RockCityUg #LetsRock👌— RockCityRadio (@RockCityRadioUG) November 30, 2022
A Sh600 million funds drive to establish a radio to serve Tororo district and beyond was first initiated in 2020 by the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, with appeals going to potential donors in Uganda and abroad. The radio started tests online earlier this year. Click here to listen RockCity Radio TORORO) or ( ROCKCITY radio )
Close to sh400m has been raised in cash and pledges in the past two years. Area MPs Oboth Oboth and Emmanuel Otaala have already each offered sh10million while NRM electoral chief Tanga Odoi, has offered sh6 million.
UCC license costs to the tune of Sh45 million, were pledged by the Tororo Municipality area MP, Apollo Yeri. Already in place is a house offered by Ambassador Bernadette Olowo- Freers at Tororo central business district that will be repurposed and wired to host the radio. This will offset a budget of sh6m annually in rent.
There are currently three radio stations in Tororo licensed by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). UCC has allowed all three to operate at an average of 1,500 watts but what was initially approved for RockCity was a 500W FM transmitter, that will not go far for a community radio.
Radio board chair Okecho-Ochwo appealed to UCC to enable the radio operate at a higher level. The appeal was well received by UCC.
First Fundraising
At the first fundraising in November 2020, Kwar Adhola challenged clans in Padhola to spearhead the drive to mobilise support for the radio, which he said will be a main vehicle for communication.
“Our people are praised for being hardworking. Now is the time for the Jopadhola, each of them, to show what they are capable of,” Kwar Adhola said.
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Banking and mobile money details
The TACI radio committee has collection bank accounts with DFCU Bank Limited, Acacia Branch to ease the fundraising drive.
Following UCC instructions, the TACI radio committee treasurer , Constant Othieno Mayende recently opened a new account in the names of Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited – also in DFCU. It is UGX A/C 0106 00 1027 4194 and USD A/C 0206 00 1027 4200.
TACI have also included a GoFundMe initiative (GoFundMe ) online as one of the ways to raise funds. It is organised by Prof Robert Owor at Albany State University in the US.
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ACCOUNT NO (UGX): 01060010274194
ACCOUNT NAME: TORORO BROADCASTING NETWORK LIMITED
BANK: DFCU BANK LIMITED, ACACIA BRANCH
SWIFT CODE: DFCUUGKAXXX
ACCOUNT NO (USD): 02060010274200
ACCOUNT NAME: TORORO BROADCASTING NETWORK LIMITED
BANK: DFCU BANK LIMITED, ACACIA BRANCH
SWIFT CODE: DFCUUGKAXXX
📌 Treasurer, Constant Othieno Mayende Mobile Money (MTN: 0772 590464 or Airtel: 0751 233470)
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