radio announcer  

Messiah Radio was established in 1997, the land being donated by the Anglican Church of Uganda, South Rwenzori Diocese. It provides 24-hour a day programming and is the sole source of Anglican teaching and music on the airwaves in this part of the country.

This is the most listened-to station in the area. This station is the only source of Christian education for many people in this area of the country. It is the only source of religious music, and perhaps even more importantly, nonpartisan news. They have targeted programs toward youth - not just teenagers, but very small children - there is a 30 minute program which is bringing unchurched neighbors' children over to houses with radios to listen. It is a powerful source within the diocese and within the nearby neighboring countries of Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In January 2006, the station began the final stages of its expansion project, with the installation of a new 1000 Kilowatt transmitting tower up in the Rwenzori Mountains. The radio station currently serves the western part of the country plus parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The new installation will effectively triple the area covered. Expansion of Messiah Radio in Kasese, Uganda In March of 2006, the new transmitter tower was installed up in the Nyakabingo hills near Kasese; click on the images to get an enlarged view.
The new mast A view of Kasese from the mast

Financial aid requests:

There are, however, significant needs required by the station, with estimated costs:
  • 2.4 million Uganda shillings for installation of solar panels

    There is no electricity in the mountains, so the transmitter will require a generator in order to run. Should the generator fail, then a minimum of two solar panels -- each capable of powering a 1-kilowatt transmitter -- are also needed.

  • 4.7 million shillings for a generator to power the generator, since there is no power in the mountains

  • Two solar panels for backup for the generator

  • 500,000 shillings for a tape recorder

    The reporters have no "recorders" capable of recording meetings and events so that material can be transcribed from the recording, or even better, insert portions of recorded material on the air.

  • 15 million shillings for an automobile for transport for the reporters to attend civic functions and out-of-town functions

    There is no means of transportation for any of the reporters working at the station. Modes of transport in this part of the world are by "boda boda" (young men who hire their motorcycles for a price) or by young men to hire their bicycles at a lesser price, or, of course, by foot. The latter is the most usual means of transport for reporters trying to cover events in Kasese. If an event occurs in a village out of town, then there is no method of transport other than public transport (taxi) and there are no funds to cover this expense.

  • Computers (2) for the station

    The station has one computer - the one which is used in the transmitting room. They should have several more - because they are required to maintain copies of all broadcasted materials. Currently this is done by typing material on an antiquated manual portable typewriter, and then storing the material in binders. They are required to upload materials off of the internet, and have to travel to public computer access places and rent time on a computer in order to download news stories from the web.