TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. i Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................ v Abstract ........................................................................................................................ vi Abbreviations ............................................................................................................. vii List of Tables ............................................................................................................ viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background to the Problem .................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 Status of Rural Women in Uganda ....................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Social Status .......................................................................................................... 3 1.2.3 Education and Literacy Status .............................................................................. 5 1.2.4 Economic Status.................................................................................................... 6 1.2.5 Women and Agriculture ........................................................................................ 7 1.2.6 Poverty levels ........................................................................................................ 9 1.3 Mama Fm .............................................................................................................. 10 1.4 The Use of Radio in the Information/Empowerment Process ......................... 11 1.4.1 Radio Use in Uganda .......................................................................................... 13 1.5 Community Media/Radio Defined...................................................................... 14 1.5.1 The Role of Community Media .......................................................................... 17 1.5.2 Is Mama Fm a Community Radio? ..................................................................... 18 1.6 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................... 20 1.7 Research Questions .............................................................................................. 20 1.8 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................... 21 1.9 Methods Used ....................................................................................................... 21 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 21 CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ......................................... 23 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 23 2.2 Empowerment Defined ........................................................................................ 24 2.3 Why the Empowerment of Rural Women? ....................................................... 24 2.4 The History of Community Radio in Uganda ................................................... 27 2.5 Community Radio: What does it mean for rural women? .............................. 29 2.6 Portrayal of Women in the Ugandan Media ..................................................... 31 2.7 Women Organisations: Reversing the Situation ............................................... 33 i 2.8 Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) ............................................... 34 2.8.1 History/Background ............................................................................................ 34 2.8.2 Structure of UMWA ........................................................................................... 35 2.8.3 Objectives of UMWA ......................................................................................... 36 2.8.4 Projects under UMWA ....................................................................................... 36 2.9 Mama Fm (Its birth) ............................................................................................ 37 2.9.1 Significance of the discoveries ........................................................................... 38 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ...................................... 41 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 41 3.2 Empowerment Feminism .................................................................................... 41 3.2.1 The Empowerment Approach ............................................................................. 43 3.3 The Development Communication Theory ....................................................... 45 3.4 Participation in Community Media ................................................................... 47 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 50 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY .................................................................. 51 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 51 4.2 Why Community Radio and why Mama Fm in particular?............................ 52 4.3 Challenges Faced .................................................................................................. 53 4.4 Research Tools and instruments......................................................................... 53 4.4.1 Interviews ............................................................................................................ 54 4.4.2 Focus group discussions: .................................................................................... 55 4.4.3 Document Review ............................................................................................... 57 4.4.4 Program Analysis ................................................................................................ 58 4.4.5 Use of the Internet as a tool for research ............................................................ 58 4.5 Methodological Challenges/Limitations............................................................. 59 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 59 CHAPTER FIVE: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS .......................... 60 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 60 5.2 Access .................................................................................................................... 60 5.2.1 Location .............................................................................................................. 61 5.2.2 Get Smart Program (GSP) .................................................................................. 62 5.2.2.1 Challenges ........................................................................................................ 64 5.2.3 Public Awareness and Educational Campaigns .................................................. 65 ii 5.3 Participation ......................................................................................................... 67 5.3.1 Planning and Implementation ............................................................................. 67 5.3.2 Participation on Air ............................................................................................. 70 5.3.2.1 ‗Kiwumulo‘ ...................................................................................................... 72 5.3.2.2 ‗Katukyogereko‘ .............................................................................................. 73 5.3.3.3 ‗Amaka Ggo‘ ................................................................................................... 73 5.3.3.4 ‗Ebyobufuzi‘ .................................................................................................... 74 5.3.3.5 ‗Edini ekyusa emyoyo gyaffe‘ ......................................................................... 74 5.3.3.6 Essubi lyo kumakya‘ ........................................................................................ 75 5.3.4 Challenges ........................................................................................................... 75 5.3.5 Evaluation ........................................................................................................... 76 5.4 Self-Management ................................................................................................. 77 5.4.1 Employment Policy ............................................................................................. 77 5.4.2 News policy ........................................................................................................ 78 5.4.2.1 Implementation of the policy ........................................................................... 79 5.4.3 Music Policy ......................................................................................................