Rupiny FM has emerged as the leading radio station in the Acholi Sub-region, according to the 2026 Uganda National Media Survey (UNMS).
The station was ranked number one in audience listenership across the Acholi Sub-region, including the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago, Amuru and Nwoya.
The finding places Rupiny FM at the top of Acholi’s radio landscape in a survey that examined media consumption patterns across Uganda, covering radio, television, print, online platforms and media personalities.
The survey, conducted by Market Intelligence Group (MIG) across all 146 districts, ranked leading radio stations across Uganda’s 15 sub-regions based on audience consumption.
Rupiny FM ranked ahead of Mega FM in this year’s rankings. Other sub-regions recorded different stations at the top, including Unity FM in Lira, which was ranked the leading and most-listened-to radio station in the Lango Sub-region, and Arua One, which was ranked number one for audience listenership in the West Nile Sub-region.
The Principal Investigator of the survey and Managing Director of Market Intelligence Group, Dr Joel Isabirye, said the strong performance of regional stations demonstrates the importance of broadcasting in local languages and reflecting the cultural identities of different communities.
“Almost all linguistic formations have at least one radio station catering for their language and culture. This is good progress,” Dr Isabirye said.
He attributed the development partly to Uganda’s liberalised broadcasting environment, saying the presence of radio stations tailored to different linguistic and cultural communities demonstrates progress in promoting cultural diversity.
The Acholi finding gives Rupiny FM a significant position in a region where radio remains an important source of news, information, entertainment and community engagement.
The UNMS was designed to provide media institutions, policymakers, advertisers and researchers with a clearer picture of how Ugandans consume media across different demographic and geographical groups.
Dr Isabirye said the survey provides media houses with direct feedback from their audiences, enabling them to identify areas requiring improvement while strengthening programmes that continue to attract listeners.
For advertisers, the sub-regional rankings provide an opportunity to identify the most effective platforms for reaching specific audiences.
“If you are an advertiser of a brand and you want to reach audiences in Bugisu Sub-region, you are able to know which are the leading stations,” Dr Isabirye said.
He added that the findings can also help policymakers assess whether the objectives of media liberalisation are being achieved and identify areas that remain underserved.
