Investigating the role of community radio in disseminating income poverty alleviation messages in rural communities: A case study of Kagadi-Kibaale Community Radio

Abstract

This study “Investigating the role of community radio in disseminating Income poverty Alleviation messages in rural communities: A case study of Kagadi-Kibaale Community Radio (KKCR)” shows how effective community radio is, in disseminating Income poverty alleviation messages in rural communities in Uganda. To achieve that objective, the study was divided into four major parts. The first part looked at the effectiveness of community radio in income poverty alleviation in Uganda; the second one discussed how community radio has been integrated in income poverty alleviation. The third one addressed the challenges of community radio in ensuring meaningful participation and communication in income poverty alleviation. The last part gave recommendations on how community radio can enhance income poverty alleviation in rural communities in Uganda. Using Kagadi-Kibaale Community Radio as case study, the research applied the diffusion of innovations theory and Participatory communication model to establish a basis for understanding what significance KKCR has in Kibaale District community in respect to income poverty alleviation. The methods majorly used for data collection were: focus group discussions, interviews, observation and secondary data review. The study was premised on the background that community radio provides a platform for community access and participation, which promotes information access. The programming caters for citizenry enhancement or community participation in issues that affect them. The study found out that KKCR follows the radio format which focuses on community empowerment by providing more of information to the public than entertainment. The programming caters for the audience needs in as far as income poverty alleviation is concerned. There is an “open door” policy which promotes the issue of access, participation and ownership of KKCR by the community. This empowers the community as they freely participate in the production and consumption of the station’s content. The study also found out that community radio had several challenges like political influence, distance, inadequate electricity and many others; to be trusted solely as an avenue for developing and transforming rural communities in as far as income poverty alleviation is concerned. An alternative to community radio called Mobile Community Broadcasting Service was suggested.