Kampala, Uganda: The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, has called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and other government agencies to strengthen Uganda’s communications sector and accelerate the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Hon Lumumba made the remarks during a familiarisation visit to the Uganda Communications Commission headquarters, accompanied by the Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, as part of the ministry’s ongoing engagement with its agencies.
The ministers were received by UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo, who briefed them on the Commission’s mandate to regulate telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, data communications and communications infrastructure.
Thembo said the Commission’s work supports the government’s key development frameworks, including the Digital Transformation Roadmap, Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
He said UCC continues to play a critical role in expanding digital connectivity, strengthening sector regulation and creating an enabling environment for innovation, investment and digital inclusion.
During the briefing, UCC Director of Corporate Affairs Fred Otunnu highlighted the steady growth of Uganda’s communications sector.
He revealed that the Commission currently licenses 64 telecommunications operators, 56 television broadcasters, 110 radio stations and 42 postal and courier service providers, in addition to a growing number of online publishers and digital communication service providers.
Otunnu said Uganda now has approximately 47 million active SIM card subscriptions, while smartphone users have increased from 18 million to 20 million.
He added that internet subscriptions and data consumption continue to rise as more Ugandans embrace online learning, e-commerce, e-government services and other digital platforms.
Mobile money usage has also grown by about nine percent, while declining internet costs have made digital services increasingly 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,” Otunnu said.
He noted that future growth will require increased investment in digital skills, local innovation, cybersecurity, affordability and local digital content, adding that UCC also requires adequate resources to effectively regulate the rapidly evolving communications sector.
In her remarks, Lumumba commended UCC for its achievements and described the Commission as a critical institution in shaping Uganda’s digital future.
She urged the regulator to continue addressing issues affecting consumers, including quality of service, fair billing practices, 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,” Lumumba said.
The minister emphasised that technology should provide practical solutions that improve the lives of ordinary Ugandans and called for stronger partnerships between the Ministry, UCC and other government institutions to expand digital inclusion, support innovation and build a secure and resilient digital economy.
The familiarisation visit also provided an opportunity for the ministers and UCC management to discuss emerging priorities in Uganda’s communications sector and explore ways of strengthening institutional cooperation to advance the country’s digital transformation agenda.
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