Communication
Minister Calls for Stronger Collaboration During UCC Visit
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, has called for closer collaboration between the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and other government agencies to strengthen the communications sector and accelerate Uganda's digital transformation.
The Minister made the call during a familiarisation visit to UCC, accompanied by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria. The visit is part of the Ministry's ongoing engagements with agencies to better understand their work, achievements, and priorities.
The Ministers were welcomed by the Executive Director of UCC, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, who briefed them on the Commission's mandate to regulate telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, data communications, and communications infrastructure.
Hon. Thembo said UCC's work is aligned with the Government's national development priorities, including the Digital Transformation Roadmap, Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the Tenfold Growth Strategy. He said the Commission plays a central role in expanding digital connectivity, strengthening regulation, and creating an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and digital inclusion.
The Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Fred Otunnu, presented an overview of the communications sector and its performance. He said UCC currently licenses about 64 telecommunications operators, 56 television broadcasters, 110 radio stations, and 42 postal and courier service providers, alongside a growing number of online publishers and digital communication service providers.
Mr. Otunnu said Uganda's communications sector continues to record steady growth. The country now has about 47 million active SIM card subscriptions, while smartphone usage has increased from 18 million to 20 million. Internet subscriptions and data consumption have continued to grow as more Ugandans access online education, e-commerce, digital government services, and other digital platforms. He added that mobile money usage has increased by about 9 percent, while the cost of internet services has continued to decline, making digital services more accessible across the country.
"The communications sector has grown steadily over the years, but the next phase requires us to strengthen the digital ecosystem by ensuring that more Ugandans can access affordable services, develop digital skills, and benefit from local innovation," Mr. Otunnu said.
He added that the next phase of growth will require greater investment in digital skills, local content, innovation, affordability, and cybersecurity. He also noted that UCC's expanding responsibilities require adequate resources to effectively regulate the sector and manage critical national assets such as radio spectrum and communications monitoring infrastructure.
In her remarks, Rt. Hon. Lumumba thanked the Commission for the warm welcome and the detailed briefing. She described UCC as a key institution in guiding Uganda's communications sector and encouraged it to continue addressing issues that directly affect consumers, including quality of service, fair billing, internet routing, and responsible content regulation.
"We must ensure that technology and regulation work for our people by improving service delivery, protecting consumers, promoting national values, and addressing misinformation," the Minister said.
The Minister said technology should deliver practical solutions that improve people's lives and called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry, UCC, and other government agencies to expand digital inclusion, support innovation, and build a secure and resilient digital economy.
The familiarisation visit provided an opportunity for the Ministers to gain a deeper understanding of UCC's work, discuss emerging priorities in the communications sector, and strengthen cooperation in advancing Uganda's digital transformation.
The Minister made the call during a familiarisation visit to UCC, accompanied by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria. The visit is part of the Ministry's ongoing engagements with agencies to better understand their work, achievements, and priorities.
The Ministers were welcomed by the Executive Director of UCC, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, who briefed them on the Commission's mandate to regulate telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, data communications, and communications infrastructure.
Hon. Thembo said UCC's work is aligned with the Government's national development priorities, including the Digital Transformation Roadmap, Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the Tenfold Growth Strategy. He said the Commission plays a central role in expanding digital connectivity, strengthening regulation, and creating an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and digital inclusion.
The Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Fred Otunnu, presented an overview of the communications sector and its performance. He said UCC currently licenses about 64 telecommunications operators, 56 television broadcasters, 110 radio stations, and 42 postal and courier service providers, alongside a growing number of online publishers and digital communication service providers.
Mr. Otunnu said Uganda's communications sector continues to record steady growth. The country now has about 47 million active SIM card subscriptions, while smartphone usage has increased from 18 million to 20 million. Internet subscriptions and data consumption have continued to grow as more Ugandans access online education, e-commerce, digital government services, and other digital platforms. He added that mobile money usage has increased by about 9 percent, while the cost of internet services has continued to decline, making digital services more accessible across the country.
"The communications sector has grown steadily over the years, but the next phase requires us to strengthen the digital ecosystem by ensuring that more Ugandans can access affordable services, develop digital skills, and benefit from local innovation," Mr. Otunnu said.
He added that the next phase of growth will require greater investment in digital skills, local content, innovation, affordability, and cybersecurity. He also noted that UCC's expanding responsibilities require adequate resources to effectively regulate the sector and manage critical national assets such as radio spectrum and communications monitoring infrastructure.
In her remarks, Rt. Hon. Lumumba thanked the Commission for the warm welcome and the detailed briefing. She described UCC as a key institution in guiding Uganda's communications sector and encouraged it to continue addressing issues that directly affect consumers, including quality of service, fair billing, internet routing, and responsible content regulation.
"We must ensure that technology and regulation work for our people by improving service delivery, protecting consumers, promoting national values, and addressing misinformation," the Minister said.
The Minister said technology should deliver practical solutions that improve people's lives and called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry, UCC, and other government agencies to expand digital inclusion, support innovation, and build a secure and resilient digital economy.
The familiarisation visit provided an opportunity for the Ministers to gain a deeper understanding of UCC's work, discuss emerging priorities in the communications sector, and strengthen cooperation in advancing Uganda's digital transformation.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
