ICT MINISTER MAKES MAIDEN VISIT TO UCC, CALLS FOR FASTER DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND STRONGER CONSUMER PROTECTION

KAMPALA, 3 July 2026 – On her maiden visit to the Uganda Communications Commission this week, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, called for accelerated digital transformation, strengthened consumer protection, and improved public awareness of regulatory services.

Hon. Lumumba was appointed Minister of ICT and National Guidance in May, following the announcement of a new post-elections cabinet that saw Dr Chris Baryomunsi assume the health docket.

The familiarisation and engagement meeting, held at UCC House, brought together senior officials from the Ministry, including Eng. Geoffrey Agoi who represented Dr Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary, as well as UCC’s top and senior management teams.

In his remarks, the UCC Executive Director, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, briefed the Minister on the Commission’s mandate, strategic priorities, ongoing programmes, achievements, and the key challenges and opportunities embedded in Uganda’s rapidly evolving communications sector.

Hon. Nyombi Thembo reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enabling Uganda’s digital transformation through effective, transparent and forward-looking regulation, noting that the communications sector remains one of the fastest-growing contributors to Uganda’s economy, with far-reaching impact across a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, trade and public administration.

He further highlighted UCC’s continued investment in expanding communications infrastructure to underserved areas, improving broadband access, promoting digital innovation, and ensuring that more Ugandans benefit from affordable, safe and reliable communication services.

The Executive Director, however, acknowledged persistent challenges, including connectivity gaps in remote areas, the high cost of digital devices and internet services, limited digital literacy, cybersecurity threats, and the need to continuously align the legal and regulatory framework with the rapidly evolving media and technology landscape.

In a comprehensive presentation, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Fred Otunnu, shared an overview of UCC’s regulatory mandate that spans telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, radio communications, infrastructure and data communication.

He outlined key initiatives aimed at expanding broadband connectivity, promoting universal access to ICT services, strengthening consumer protection, supporting innovation, and developing Uganda’s broader digital ecosystem.

In her remarks, Hon. Lumumba commended UCC for its significant contribution to the growth and regulation of Uganda’s communications sector.

She urged the Commission to enhance public awareness of its mandate and programmes to enable citizens to better understand available services and the regulator’s role in protecting consumer interests.

The minister called for stronger consumer protection measures, particularly in relation to service quality, transparency in airtime billing, and accountability among service providers. She emphasised that consumers must remain at the centre of all regulatory interventions and encouraged UCC to respond promptly to emerging user concerns.

Hon. Lumumba further underscored the importance of strengthening Uganda’s digital infrastructure to support national development and encouraged the promotion of locally developed digital solutions to improve service delivery and enhance national resilience.

She called for ICTs to be deliberately leveraged to help address day-to-day challenges in agriculture, youth employment, education and public service delivery, among others. The minister also encouraged UCC to champion the harnessing of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence by supporting innovation while putting in place appropriate regulatory safeguards.

At the same time, she called for responsible broadcasting that upholds Uganda’s constitutional principles, cultural values and ethical standards.

Reaffirming her commitment to close collaboration with UCC, Hon. Lumumba called for stronger coordination among Government institutions, the private sector and development partners to accelerate innovation, improve service delivery and advance the Government’s socio-economic transformation agenda.