Spearheaded by Owen Kibenge, a Ugandan journalist studying journalism at Columbia University and affiliated with the Modi Lab, Millennium Voice 102.2 FM, is a new radio station being set up in Ruhiira, Uganda one of the Millennium Villages Sites.

Why community radio?

• Cheap
• Mobile
• Only source of information in rural Uganda
• Transcends barriers like high levels of illiteracy
• Credibility “the radio said” superiority of oral tradition
• Radio foot print vast, only true mass medium

Progress so far:

• Training manual complete and tested in the field
• Eleven community journalists trained in interviewing skills, using ENG ,on air presentation ,reporting and developing sources ,ethics.
• Jingles, public service announcements produced
• Music purchased
• 4 test runs done all successful.
• Ready to embark on 5 hour daily broadcast
• News style (proverbs) and editorial policy in place
• Radio programs identified and 13 week episodes in the works.

List of focus areas of radio programs:

• Cook stoves and nutrition
• Agriculture
• Maternal health and Contraception
• Enterprise and small business
• Women and business
• Emergency public service messages
• Why should girls go to school?
• Advertising village, parish, school and sports events.

Sustainability

Income streams will include:

• personal ads for marriages, births, deaths, lost and found items,
• Adverts for local and national businesses targeting rural communities with consumer goods
• Live coverage of special events (introduction and wedding ceremonies, baptism , jubilee)

Anticipated expenditure streams:

• Transport refund for volunteers
• Maintenance of equipment
• Salary for technician and producer
• Fuel for standby power generator