MEGA FM

The station's objective is to provide the populations of Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader districts in Northern Uganda with information to help increase opportunities for the public to engage with peace and development issues. The station carries a wide range of programmes featuring news, drama, cultural events, as well as other specific programmes covering themes in development, human rights, and conflict reduction. The station has its own studios, transmitters, and production equipment. The radio station is now fully self-sustaining from advertising revenue and sponsored programmes. Details about all its programmes are located on the MEGA FM website.

According to DFID, MEGA FM has raised sensitive issues that are likely to be a factor in any future outbreak of conflict. It has broadcast programmes on human rights abuses, justice, corruption, and reconciliation issues. It has exposed local officials and government officials to direct and hostile questioning from listeners on a range of issues, leading to the opening of potential lines of accountability. Further, it has played a role in assisting in averting violence between the Lango and Acholis through broadcasting peace messages and giving air time to the authorities to appeal for calm following killings at Barlonyo, Lira. By playing Acholi music, which traditionally contains commentaries on social issues and conflict, MEGA FM may have also contributed to reflection on the consequences and causes of the conflict.

Conflict.

The project organisers state that "Evidence also suggests that the station played a major part in encouraging Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) members to come out of the bush." The LRA leadership reportedly listen to the station, and on a number of occasions have joined radio phone-in talk shows and held follow-up discussions with government and civil society representatives. On August 29 2006, the deputy leader of the LRA called MEGA FM and used this platform to declare an end of hostilities following a signing of an agreement between the government of Uganda and the LRA in Juba.