KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has invited members of the public to submit written comments regarding an application to transfer broadcasting licenses from MultiChoice Group Limited to the French pay-TV giant Groupe Canal+.
The deal, if approved, would see Canal+ take full ownership of MultiChoice Group, giving it indirect control over MultiChoice Uganda and GOTV Uganda.
In a public notice dated September 9, UCC said the application stems from a request by MultiChoice Uganda and GOTV Uganda Limited for a license transfer “by way of change in control from MultiChoice Group Limited to Groupe Canal+.”
“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 stated.
However, UCC clarified that while control of the parent company may change, the “shareholding in MultiChoice Uganda Limited and GOTV Uganda Limited shall remain unchanged.”
The announcement has triggered concern among Ugandans, especially regarding the implications for local content production, fair market competition, and consumer prices.
“A 14-day notice is short. There is limited information on price implications going forward. There is unchecked external monopoly! And how does this request support the BUBU (Buy Uganda Build Uganda) cause? How are they committing to support or develop Uganda’s local content?” posted Martin Ssemaganda, a digital rights advocate, on X (formerly Twitter).
Some Ugandans are calling for guarantees that the new ownership will uphold existing obligations to promote Ugandan content, employ local staff, and maintain affordability for consumers.
According to UCC, “MultiChoice Africa Holdings BV currently holds 85% shares in MultiChoice Uganda Limited and holds 85% shares in GOTV Uganda Limited. MultiChoice Africa Holdings BV is wholly owned by MultiChoice Group Holdings Limited.”
Groupe Canal+, which already owns 45.2% of MultiChoice Group, now seeks to purchase the remaining 54.8% to gain full control.
This takeover would align with Canal+’s broader expansion strategy across Africa, where it is increasingly acquiring stakes in leading regional media companies.
Citing Section 39(2)(d) of the Uganda Communications Act, UCC said it is “required to consider public interest before determining whether or not to approve the proposed transfer of licenses.”
“The public is therefore requested to provide written comments, if any, regarding the aforesaid applications,” the Commission said.
Comments must be submitted within 14 days from the date of the notice.
Despite the Commission’s assurances, questions persist about how this transaction aligns with national policy objectives like BUBU, which promotes local ownership and content development.
Observers warn that the takeover could deepen Uganda’s reliance on foreign-owned platforms for entertainment, while potentially sidelining local creators if safeguards are not put in place.
“This isn’t just about a corporate handover. It’s about who tells our stories, who controls our screens, and who benefits from Uganda’s digital future,” said a media stakeholder who requested anonymity.
With Groupe Canal+ positioning itself as the dominant player in Africa’s pay-TV sector, Uganda’s public input may prove crucial in shaping the terms of this transition or in raising red flags before it’s too late.