Television
Katamu Nedinani
0753366766
Definition
• Television is a device that can show moving images accompanied with
audio(sound).
• The television medium is basically a powerful tool of mass communication
which is a symbol of the twentieth century discoveries worldwide.
• During the last century, Television has been instrumental in narrowing down
geographical and cultural distances between world communities.
• TV worldwide is a gauge for economic status and other characteristics.
History of Television
(Discovery of Television)
• The most reputable contribution to the discovery of TV was a man called
Paul Ripkow. When he discovered a device for showing Pictures known as a
Kinescope in 1884. However other experiments were done by various
scientists in 1920’s.
• Tv was perfected in 1940’s and it became a device of mass media
communications mainly in 1950’s. This is when TV networks were setup in
countries such as the UK, France, USA etc. cable TV was discovered in 1950
to improve the quality of the signals. TV services were boosted in the early
1960’s by the use of satellite systems.
Television in Africa
• Unlike radio, which requires small capital investments to
establish, TV is an expensive station to setup. During the
1950’s, TV in Africa was as rare as independent states.
The Gold Coast (Ghana) was the first country to receive
TV services in Africa. Then after words in 1960’s other
countries followed suite such as Ivory coast, Congo,
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Zanzibar in the early 60’s.
History of Television in Uganda
• Television services in Uganda started after attainment of
independence. The studios for the station were constructed at
Nakasero Hill which was an Asia/ European hospital. The station
was launched on 8th –Oct-1963 on the eve of Uganda’s
independence anniversary. It was the first time for UTV to
telecast live an event.
• During the function, the objectives of the new TV station was
spelt out as to educate, inform, entertain and mobilize the public.
History of Television in Uganda
• During the infant stages of UT, the station was manned by mostly expatriates e.g.
the general manager was Tombs, the chief engineer was Blackledges, and the
corporation manager was Robert Astles.
• However, in 1968 Mr. Agrey Awori became the first African Director of UTV. The
transmitters were established country wide in the major towns such as Masaka, Lira,
Soroti, Mbarara and Mbale..
• In 1957, Iddi Amin Dada established the color TV and Uganda became the 5th
country in Africa to show color TV to the viewers. This was to impress the
delegates of the OAU summit that Uganda was a progressive country.
History of Television in Uganda
• UTV set up at the beginning had 3 departments;
1. Commercial
2. Production
3. Engineering
• The production department housed News and the
programs department.
History of Television in Uganda
• The most interesting programs on air included;
i. Night club live telecasts
ii. The Panorama
iii. The Sports Roundup
iv. The Commercial (Baptism, wedding, prior or after).
History of Television in Uganda
• The film unit that was established under the department of information in 1950 was
transferred to UTV in 1964. The OB unit (OBU) Outside Broadcast Unit was also
established in 1964 to record mainly important events including upcountry activities.
• During the period between 1971-1979 UTV experienced a setback in its production.
There was a lot of censorship of material preserved on air.
• It is during the period that two presenters, James Amuge and Bwogi were picked up
from the station and they mysteriously disappeared.
• This scared the staff of UTV and production deteriorated in quality.
History of Television in Uganda
• During the period 1979-1986, there wasn't improvement on UTV. It was after 1986,
that improvement was undertaken e.g. in 1988, new video cameras were purchased.
• In 1992 cable TV, CTV was established to improve on the quality of the signal and
also programs. Later in the late 90’s UTV was hooked to the internet to use satellite
system. This improved on the quality and programing.
• The liberalization policy of the media in Uganda, enabled establishment of private
Tv stations and Sanyu TV was the first private TV station.
• Currently there are over 20 TV stations on Air e. UBC, NBS, TOP TV, Salam TV,
Bukedde, Record, NTV, Spark, Step TV in Mbale, etc.