Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

Learning how to produce a live show in just five days

23-year-old Getruda Lamunu is a second year student at the Uganda Christian University which is located near the country capital, Kampala. She was among 15 young journalists who took part in the very first workshop co-hosted by the university and DW Akademie. The focus was on producing youth radio programs where youths speak out for themselves.

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

'I want a program that speaks to me'

Her ambition is fueled by her experiences as a girl. She wants to be a game-changer in her society by running a radio show that helps young girls voice concerns that they’ve always held back. In Uganda, 50 percent of the population is female.

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

More than 200 radio stations but few youth programs

The two-part workshop is the result of a survey commissioned by DW Akademie, and that found that almost 80 percent of young radio listeners had never participated in a call-in show - Uganda’s most popular radio format. The country has more than 200 radio stations, but in most programs it’s the adults who speak on behalf of young people, and not the youths themselves.

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

Unemployment is the most pressing concern among youths

Most young Ugandans feel that issues which really affect them, like unemployment, HIV/Aids, pregnancy, family and relationships issues, are not discussed in a way that really relates to them. According to the study, young people who tried to take part in call-in programs felt uncomfortable, ignored or not taken seriously by the adults who voiced their concerns.

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

“Let young people voice their frustrations”

Abdurahman Ssekabira was a workshop participant. “I want a radio program that lets young people voice their own frustrations to the president or local authorities,” he says. He was disappointed by a radio discussion with President Youweri Museveni during a recent political campaign. As is so often, issues relating to youths had been raised by an adult.

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

Radio, blogs and social media are the new normal

The first phase of the workshop took place in April, with the second to follow in August. The goal is to give young people the skills to produce more participatory youth shows and to publish them on platforms such as blogs and social media networks. The participants choose the topics themselves and discuss issues that they see as important.

Youth radio in Uganda: Speaking out and being heard

Drama: “Does Hair Say It All?”

Mini features, live interviews, a drama and vox pops were among the formats produced during the initial five-day workshop. The radio drama "Does Hair Say It All?" was the most popular among the participants. All formats were published online as podcasts.

Author: Asumpta Lattus