Inside Radio Uganda Boston ahead of its Summer Splash celebration

In a city shaped by communities from around the world, Radio Uganda Boston has become a home away from home for the Ugandan community.

Based in Waltham, Radio Uganda Boston was founded in 2009 as a way to connect Ugandans living away from home. What started out with texting community members about local programs later grew into an online radio station.

“Few homes had computers, but we tried it, and it worked,” Geoffrey Nsereko, program director at Radio Uganda Boston, said. 

Nsereko, one of the founders of Radio Uganda Boston, is known in the Ugandan community as “Simple.”

“I connect the public to the radio, so I am the book in between the people, listeners, their problems or their views. I present them to the radio, and we see what we can do for our community,” Nsereko said.

Radio Uganda Boston offers a variety of programs, including children’s, women’s and religious ones. The radio operates in two languages, English and Luganda. Even though there are live shows on specific days and times, the radio is always available for people.

“[Radio Uganda Boston] doesn’t stop even if we are not there live. The music stays in the background. We also run adverts and commercials,” Nsereko said.

According to Nsereko, there are about 20,000 Ugandans in New England. Although Radio Uganda Boston is based in Waltham, people from all around the world listen to it. 

“Sometimes, we have political shows, and if you are in Uganda, you know how democracy is. Some programs are censored. When [Ugandans] come here, we don’t censor anybody. They can say whatever they say, whatever comes in their mind,” Nsereko said.

Even as the radio’s audience grew internationally, the station’s roots remained in Waltham. Nsereko said the radio had two offices globally before the COVID pandemic — in Uganda and in Waltham. However, there is only one office now, in Waltham. 

“It started in Waltham. It’s here in Waltham, it will stay in Waltham. We love Waltham. Waltham has nurtured us,” Nsereko said.

Nsereko also expressed his gratitude to Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy for supporting the Ugandan community.

“We thank Mayor McCarthy. Oh, she has been there for us. She really cares for us, and she really makes sure that our community knows and gets first-class information,” Nsereko said.

To celebrate its anniversary, Radio Uganda Boston is hosting a Summer Splash celebration on Saturday, July 11. The event will take place on Waltham Common between 2 and 6 p.m.

Some of the planned activities include a children’s dance competition, a grandparents’ dance competition and a tug-of-war for the parents. Winners will receive gifts. There will also be food vendors and a bouncy castle for the kids.

The event is open to everyone, but alcohol is not allowed.

“We invite everyone. The event is open for everyone. As long as you don’t come to interrupt us, as long as you don’t bring alcohol on the ground. Don’t bring on alcohol because we have kids and we have to behave,” Nsereko said.