In Soroti City, Uganda, radio broadcaster Charles Akeru has found his work transformed through both broadcasting and agriculture. At 36, Mr. Akeru serves as a radio broadcaster, IT, and digital producer at Voice of Teso 88.4 FM. Since 2011, he has been dedicated to sharing practical agricultural information with his community. His involvement in the Platform project has taken his work to a new level.
Voice of Teso was identified as a key station to host interactive agricultural programming. Mr. Akeru now produces Green Leaf Magazine (GLM), a weekly one-hour program supported by a local district hub. Broadcast in Teso, the show features farming news, weather, market updates, and interviews with agricultural specialists, youth, women, and farmers.
He says, “The program provides practical solutions to farming challenges.” Listeners engage actively through calls, text messages, and the ULIZA platform. One standout story is that of Opolot Justine from Koloin Kapir, Ngora District, who uses animal waste to make fertilizers and pesticides after learning from GLM programs.
The project has also expanded Mr. Akeru’s personal growth. He says, “It has made me more involved in agriculture. I now understand the challenges affecting the sector and can apply solutions personally.” His journalism skills have evolved, too: beyond studio work, he now conducts authentic, field-based interviews and coordinates programs that reach diverse groups, including women and youth.
Mr. Akeru credits the Platform project with deepening his commitment to Gender, Equality, and Inclusion in programming. He says, “Everyone—men, women, youth, and elders—has a role to play in improving agriculture and turning it into a sustainable business.”
He encourages fellow broadcasters to research thoroughly, plan carefully, and use multimedia tools to strengthen programming, ensuring farmers receive information that truly empowers them.