PAPU COUNCIL GATHERS IN KAMPALA TO STEER AFRICA’S POSTAL AGENDA

KAMPALA, March 23, 2026 – The 44th Ordinary Session of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Administrative Council opened Monday at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent to shape the future of Africa’s postal sector in an increasingly digital age.

The meeting was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, who delivered a keynote address underscoring the enduring relevance and transformation of the postal sector.

The high-level gathering is part of activities leading to the 11th Ordinary Session of the PAPU Plenipotentiary Conference, which is due on 25^th March 2026 at the same venue. The two-week extravaganza started last week with technical committee meetings.

Among those attending the Council opening were the Deputy Director General of the Universal Postal Union, Osvald Marjan, PAPU Secretary General Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Assistant Secretary General Jessica Hope Ssengooba, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission Nyombi Thembo, and chief executives of postal operators and regulatory agencies from across Africa.

In her keynote address, Dr Zawedde commended members of the Administrative Council for their critical role in advancing PAPU’s agenda. Using the analogy of a vehicle to explain PAPU’s structure, she observed that while the Plenipotentiary Conference defines the route and the Secretariat manages day-to-day operations, the Administrative Council acts as the steering and transmission system, guiding and sustaining the Union’s progress.

The Administrative Council is a critical pillar of PAPU

she said, highlighting its role in maintaining momentum between Plenipotentiary Conferences, which convene every four years. She paid tribute to both the Council and the Secretariat for their stewardship of Africa’s postal development agenda.

Addressing longstanding perceptions about the postal sector, Dr. Zawedde dismissed the notion that postal services are obsolete. Instead, she said, the sector has evolved significantly, moving beyond the delivery of letters and parcels to underpinning the digital economy.

The postal service did not disappear; it simply evolved,

she noted, adding that modern postal networks now support e-commerce, logistics, and digital services.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that Uganda’s decision to host the conference reflects its commitment to active participation in regional and global postal governance. Uganda currently holds the position of Assistant Secretary General of PAPU; a role she said demonstrates the confidence member states have in the country’s leadership.

At the global level, Uganda also serves on the Council of Administration of the Universal Postal Union, where it contributes to shaping international postal policy and reforms aimed at ensuring sustainability of global networks.

Dr. Zawedde further highlighted the strategic importance of postal infrastructure, noting its extensive physical presence across the country. This, she said, positions the network as a critical platform for digital addressing, e-commerce logistics, last-mile delivery, and access to financial and government services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

She stressed that integrating digital technologies such as track-and-trace systems, digital addressing solutions, and interoperable logistics platforms would enable the sector to play an even greater role in driving e-commerce growth and digital trade across Africa.

In his remarks, Nyombi Thembo commended participants in technical committee meetings that preceded the Council for laying a strong foundation for the latter’s work. He noted that their efforts had set the stage for meaningful deliberations and decision-making. He also expressed appreciation to Dr. Zawedde for officiating at the event, saying her presence reflected the importance the Government of Uganda attaches to the postal sector.

Hon. Nyombi Thembo challenged the PAPU Council to lead the transformation of the postal industry and to firmly dispel the notion that the sector is outdated. Echoing Dr. Zawedde’s remarks, he emphasised that the postal sector remains vibrant, driven by the rapid growth of e-commerce and the demand for reliable, technology-enabled delivery systems.

The future of the postal sector lies in its ability to integrate digital technologies into traditional delivery systems

he said, citing innovations such as track-and-trace solutions, digital addressing, and data-driven logistics platforms as key enablers of efficiency and customer responsiveness.

He reaffirmed the Uganda Communications Commission’s commitment to working with domestic, regional and global partners to advance reforms that will ensure the long-term sustainability and relevance of Africa’s postal networks.

Earlier, Mrs Ssengooba, the PAPU Assistant Secretary General, expressed her excitement at helping organise what she described as the largest PAPU gathering of her four-year tenure, particularly in her home country. She thanked the Government of Uganda for hosting the event. Her remarks were echoed by the PAPU Secretary General, Dr. Moyo, who praised Uganda for its hospitality and support in organising the conference.