Uganda’s television industry is on the brink of a significant shift. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has invited the public to submit their views on a proposed transfer of broadcasting licenses following a takeover bid that could see French media giant Groupe Canal+ gain full control of MultiChoice Group Limited — the parent company of MultiChoice Uganda and GOTV Uganda.
At first glance, the transaction may appear to be a straightforward corporate reshuffle. Yet behind the paperwork lies a bigger question: what does it mean for Uganda’s media landscape, local content creators, and millions of TV subscribers?
The Deal on the Table
Currently, MultiChoice Africa Holdings BV — itself fully owned by MultiChoice Group — controls 85% of both MultiChoice Uganda and GOTV Uganda.
Canal+, which already owns 45.2% of MultiChoice Group, now wants to acquire the remaining 54.8%. If successful, the French broadcaster would assume 100% ownership, effectively gaining indirect control of the Ugandan subsidiaries.
In its September 9 notice, UCC explained, “If approved, the proposed transaction will result in Groupe Canal+ acquiring 100% shares in MultiChoice Group Limited, and consequently, gaining indirect control in MultiChoice Uganda Limited and GOTV Uganda Limited.”
The Commission clarified that while the ownership of the parent company may change, the shareholding of MultiChoice Uganda and GOTV Uganda themselves would remain intact.
Local Concerns
The announcement has sparked debate among Ugandans, with concerns centered on three key issues:
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Local Content: Will Canal+ continue to invest in Ugandan-made productions, or will foreign programming dominate the screens?
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Market Competition: Could the takeover consolidate Canal+’s dominance in Africa’s pay-TV sector at the expense of fair competition?
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Consumer Prices: With fewer alternatives, will subscription fees rise, putting more pressure on households already struggling with high costs of living?
Some industry observers warn that without clear safeguards, the deal could weaken national efforts like BUBU (Buy Uganda, Build Uganda), which aims to promote local ownership and homegrown content.
A Bigger Picture: Canal+’s African Strategy
The proposed takeover is not happening in isolation. For years, Canal+ has been on an expansion drive across Africa, acquiring significant stakes in regional media firms and strengthening its influence in the continent’s lucrative pay-TV market.
For Uganda, this raises a crucial question: how much control over its media and entertainment future should rest in the hands of foreign-owned companies?
Public Interest at the Core
Under Section 39(2)(d) of the Uganda Communications Act, UCC is required to consider public interest before approving such transfers. This is why the Commission has given the public 14 days — starting September 9 — to submit written comments.
The submissions could play a critical role in shaping the conditions of approval, ensuring that commitments to local content, affordability, and employment are not lost in the transition.
Possible Scenarios
What might this takeover mean in practice? Analysts point to three possible outcomes:
Best-Case Scenario
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Canal+ brings fresh investment, boosting local content production.
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Ugandan filmmakers and creators gain more visibility across Africa.
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Subscription costs remain stable or even decrease as Canal+ leverages economies of scale.
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Local jobs are preserved and new opportunities created in production and distribution.
Worst-Case Scenario
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Canal+ prioritizes foreign programming, sidelining Ugandan content.
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Subscription prices rise, putting pay-TV out of reach for many households.
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Market dominance squeezes out smaller players, reducing consumer choice.
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Uganda’s media identity becomes increasingly shaped by decisions made abroad.
Middle-Ground Outcome
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Canal+ makes modest investments in local content but focuses heavily on regional and international programming.
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Prices remain relatively stable but without significant innovation or new options for viewers.
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Ugandan staff retain their jobs, though growth opportunities in the industry remain limited.
Why It Matters
Television is more than just entertainment. It shapes culture, informs public opinion, and provides a platform for local storytelling. Decisions made in corporate boardrooms thousands of kilometers away could therefore have a direct impact on how Ugandans see themselves and their country represented on screen.
The coming weeks will determine whether this takeover becomes just another business deal — or a turning point in the fight to preserve Uganda’s media identity in a rapidly globalizing industry.
Deadline for public submissions to UCC: 14 days from September 9, 2025.
