Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Fides Service)- “It was our Bishop Frederick Drandua who chose the name Radio Pacis because our main goal is to work to promote peace” the Radio’s director Italian Comboni missionary Father Tonino Pasoline, told Fides. Radio Pacis is the 5th Catholic Radio Station to be opened in Uganda after Radio Kyoga-Veritas in Soroti diocese, Radio Wa in Lira diocese, Radio Maria and Radio Sapientia. Radio Pacis, which belongs to the diocese of Arua, was officially inaugurated on 26 November in the presence of the papal nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
“Northern Uganda is afflicted by civil war and our goal is to sow seeds of peace in the hearts of the people” Father Tonino told Fides. “Our radio can be heard within a range of 200 km at least which means we can reach people in Arua, Nebbi, some parts of the districts of Gulu, Lira and Moroto, as far as the borders with southern Sudan and Democratic Congo. Our programmes are in three languages, English, Lugbara and Madi the most spoken in this part of Uganda. Next year we hope to open another studio and add another frequency to broadcast in Alur spoken by the Acholi in Gulu district” the missionary said.
“Most of the staff of twenty are Ugandan, two are Austrian, a married couple of volunteer technicians, and a young journalist on civil service” Father Tonino told Fides. “Besides our own programmes which include news and pastoral services, we also relay international programmes broadcast by Radio Vatican, BBC and Voice of America. We broadcast a regular weekly Sunday Mass at 1pm and a very popular direct discussion with the Bishop at 6pm. We also have an education programme mainly for catechists whose role is fundamental in the Church in Africa”.
Radio Pacis is part of Arua diocese Media. The Centre also has a popular “Internet Café”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 2/12/2004 righe 34 parole 436)
