Mama FM marks 25 years as UMWA pushes for More Women’s Voices in Media

24 August 2026, 8:38 pm

By Annet Nakato

The Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) has raised concern over the continued underrepresentation of women in Uganda’s media,saying women account for only between 20 and 24 percent of voices featured in the media despite making up 51 percent of the country’s population. 

UMWA Executive Director Margaret Sentamu made the remarks as Mama FM, Uganda’s first women’s radio station, marked 25 years of using radio to amplify the voices of women and underserved communities. 

Sentamu said the situation has shown little improvement over the years, with women still receiving less media space than men and often being negatively portrayed when they are featured. 

She said UMWA’s monitoring of media coverage has consistently shown a significant gender gap, dating back to the Global Media Monitoring Project launched in 1995. 

Uganda has participated in the global monitoring exercise, with UMWA serving as the focal organisation responsible for monitoring the representation of women in the country’s media. 

According to Sentamu, the gap has persisted despite women’s numerical strength and contribution to national development. 

Women are half of the population. We should also be half the media,” Sentamu said, calling for women to receive equal space across radio, television, print and online platforms.

She also criticised Uganda’s media laws and journalism training for failing to adequately mainstream gender, arguing that stronger government commitment is needed to address the imbalance. 

Mama FM Station Manager Catherine Apalat says the station has overcome numerous financial and operational challenges during its 25 years of broadcasting.

Apalat said the station has faced persistent funding shortages, equipment breakdowns and rising operational costs, but has continued serving communities that depend on it for information.

Apalat said the station’s ability to survive for 25 years demonstrates the importance of community focused broadcasting and the dedication of its staff.

As Mama FM celebrates its 25th anniversary, she called for continued support to strengthen the station’s operations and ensure it can sustain its services to the communities it serves.

Mama FM currently reaches an estimated 140-kilometre radius, but the station hopes to expand its signal to cover more parts of Uganda. 

Representing UN Women, Juliet Nakato Odoi said the station had demonstrated what is possible when women claim and lead media spaces.

She said closing the gender gap in media is not only about increasing the number of women featured but also about ensuring women have influence over the issues that shape public discourse.

Odoi urged Mama FM and UMWA to embrace digital technologies and continue creating opportunities for women and girls to participate in media.

Meanwhile, Hajat Safia Nalule of Equal Opportunities Uganda urged UMWA and Mama FM to engage government institutions more strategically to secure support and inclusion of their priorities in national planning and budgeting.

She said Uganda has laws and institutions that can support gender equality and access to information, but women’s organisations need to engage these institutions early enough in the planning and budgeting process.

As Mama FM enters its next chapter, its leaders say the priority is not only to keep the station on air, but to strengthen its capacity to reach more women, provide relevant information and remain a sustainable platform for communities whose voices are often overlooked.