admin | October 10, 2024
Ali Mubiru’s journey as a broadcaster began in 2007 when he first spoke on Radio Simba in Uganda. But back then, his focus wasn’t on farming.
While pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in education at Makerere University, Mr. Mubiru was recognized for his writing skills and awarded Luganda Writer of the Month by the Nkobazambogo MUK, a student arts group. His talent caught the attention of Radio Simba, who invited him to their Bukoto studio in Kampala. There, he hosted a 10-minute program on the history of Buganda village names every Sunday.
After graduating in 2010, Mr. Mubiru spent four years teaching secondary school before moving into social work. He joined the NGO CALM Africa and founded a community-based organization called Kawempe Women Empowerment to Enhance Child Protection Agenda. Growing up in the slums of Kampala, Mr. Mubiru knew firsthand the struggles of disadvantaged communities. Through his organization, he helped over 100 children access education and supported young mothers in starting their own businesses.
Mr. Mubiru explains, “I wanted to be a symbol of hope for my community. I wanted to show them that no matter where you come from, you can succeed—and even surpass what I’ve achieved.”
Radio had always been a passion for Mr. Mubiru, who saw it as a powerful medium to reach people and share knowledge. After earning a certificate and diploma in journalism, he returned to Radio Simba in 2013, initially working behind the scenes. He quickly rose to production manager and eventually secured his own on-air slot.
One of Mr. Mubiru’s popular shows, Muvubuka Weyogerere (Youth helping themselves), focused on youth livelihood and reproductive health. But he felt something was missing: radio programming that supported rural farmers.
He says, “Even though we were reaching the urban population, I realized we were neglecting the farmers in the villages who were part of our audience.”
Mr. Mubiru convinced Radio Simba to launch weekly farming programs. The first was Lutabanjaliire, a 30-minute expert panel discussion airing every Sunday. The show was so popular that after skipping the show for two weeks, Mr. Mubiru was met with such an outcry from listeners that the program’ was extended to an hour each week.
Since then, Mr. Mubiru’s work has had a profound impact on farmers across Uganda. In 2013, Radio Simba partnered with Farm Radio International to air My Children, a radio drama focused on farming and family. Listeners reported that the information shared in the program helped them increase their crop yields, build homes, and send their children to school. One farmer even gifted Mr. Mubiru a goat after earning enough money to support his six children’s education.
Radio Simba also became a key source of information on the fall armyworm crisis in 2016. While the Ministry of Agriculture’s response was slow, Mr. Mubiru and his team quickly provided farmers with natural solutions, earning the farming program a permanent slot seven days a week.
As Radio Simba’s farming programs gained popularity, Mr. Mubiru sought new ways to engage and educate listeners, especially through entertaining formats. Partnering with Farm Radio International provided him with the tools to transform the programs into something special. Reflecting on this, Mr. Mubiru says, “Farm Radio helped us integrate edutainment—education through drama—into our farming shows, making them memorable and impactful.”
He emphasizes that broadcasting in local languages and featuring real farmers is key to engaging listeners. Today, Radio Simba reaches about 100,000 listeners, attracting sponsorship from over 20 agricultural companies, including Nsanja Agrochemicals and Naseco Seeds.
In 2018, Mr. Mubiru was honoured with the George Atkins Communication Award. Now 38 and married with children, he continues to look forward to innovation in radio and the positive change it can bring to farming communities.
Mr. Mubiru is one of several broadcasters from our network invited to attend the Global Family Farming Forum 2024 , held Oct. 14 – 18 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. The forum will bring together global experts, passionate changemakers, and visionary leaders of all ages to discuss this year’s theme: “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow.”
About the author
Evert Lindquist volunteered as a journalism intern for Farm Radio International in Uganda during July and August 2024, working on a project focused on Nature-based solutions to climate change.