DRIVING DIGITAL EQUALITY: UCC BOARD TOURS ICT PROJECTS IN EASTERN UGANDA

MBALE, February 20, 2026 – The Board of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has concluded a one-week field visit, inspecting digital inclusion projects supported by the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) across Eastern Uganda.

The visit forms part of the Board’s oversight mandate to assess the functionality, utilisation, sustainability, and overall impact of Commission-funded interventions aimed at bridging the digital divide.

Led by Board Chairperson Dr Charity Basaza Mulenga and accompanied by UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the delegation evaluated projects advancing inclusive access to ICT infrastructure, connectivity, digital skills development, and assistive technologies.

Promoting Digital Inclusion for PWDs

At the Regional PWD ICT Resource Centre in Jinja, a programme implemented in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), the Board interacted with beneficiaries and reviewed assistive technologies designed to ensure equitable access to ICT services, including adaptive tools such as braille embossers, magnification devices, and screen readers.

Expanding Community Access to Broadband

The delegation also assessed the Public Access Centre (PAC) at Jinja Public Library, one of 120 such centres established nationwide to provide affordable community access to broadband services. The PAC model continues to empower youth, job seekers, and entrepreneurs by facilitating digital literacy and access to e-government services, reinforcing the role of shared digital infrastructure in community transformation.

Strengthening ICT in Education

In the education sector, the Board visited several beneficiary institutions under the ICT-in-Education programme, including St. Gonzaga Secondary School, Kagoma, the solar-powered ICT lab at Bubiita Seed Secondary School in Bududa, and Mbale School for the Deaf.

These projects reflect UCUSAF’s integrated approach to infrastructure deployment, connectivity, and sustainability, particularly in hard-to-reach and special-needs institutions, while ensuring that no learner is left behind in Uganda’s digital transformation journey.

Building Institutional Capacity

At Jinja Civil Service College, the Board inspected an ICT lab established to strengthen digital capacity within the public service institution. Discussions emphasised the importance of institutional ownership and effective utilisation as critical pillars for long-term sustainability of Commission-supported facilities.

Broader Oversight Engagements

The tour also included visits to the Jinja Remote Spectrum Monitoring Site, the UCC Mbale Regional Office, and Spotlight on Africa, among other facilities supported or overseen by the Commission.

The field engagements provided the Board with first-hand insights into the performance and impact of UCUSAF-supported initiatives. These findings will inform future programmes, regulatory interventions, and sustainability frameworks, as UCC advances its strategic commitment to inclusive digital transformation.