UCC, KACITA STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION TO PROMOTE SAFE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

Kampala, 16 July 2026 — The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) have committed to strengthening collaboration to support the successful implementation of the SIMU Klear enforcement programme.

The commitment was made during a stakeholder engagement meeting held at the UCC head office in Bugolobi to discuss the SIMU Klear enforcement roadmap, address concerns raised by traders, and identify measures to support compliance with communication equipment standards.

The SIMU Klear enforcement programme is supported by the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a system launched by UCC on 8 October 2025. The CEIR can identify illegitimate communication equipment and block them from accessing network services in Uganda. It therefore helps to curb the importation, distribution, sale and use of such equipment.

Illegitimate equipment includes, but is not limited to, counterfeits, non-type-approved equipment, stolen equipment, and any equipment that may compromise consumer safety, service quality, or network integrity. Through a dedicated consumer interface (https://simu.ucc.co.ug), the CEIR also helps to reduce mobile phone theft and related crime by ensuring devices reported as stolen are rendered unusable across all networks.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Meddie Kaggwa, Head of Multimedia Services at UCC. He opened by welcoming participants from both institutions and stressing the importance of continued collaboration between UCC and the business community. Mr. Kaggwa noted that the meeting was a follow-up to the engagement and training exercise held on 18 May 2026 at Protea Hotel Kampala, which reflected the cordial relationship between KACITA and UCC.

Mr. Kaggwa added that effective stakeholder engagement is essential to achieving the goal of fighting illegitimate mobile communication devices, and to ensuring that traders are well informed and prepared before enforcement initiatives are rolled out.

During the meeting, UCC staff led by Mr. Muheki Wasago, the CEIR Coordinator, presented the objectives of the SIMU Klear implementation and outlined the steps that device distributors, importers, and local manufacturers should take to ensure their devices are legitimate. Mr. Muheki also informed members that an amnesty programme would be introduced for all device categories, so that distributors, importers, local manufacturers and consumers are not disadvantaged by devices already imported or in use. Participants were further briefed on the current implementation status.

KACITA representatives sought clarification on the implementation roadmap, with discussions focusing on Type Approval processes, direct imports, border compliance, and pre-import verification requirements.

Several challenges were highlighted, including lengthy Type Approval processing, limited clarity on documentation requirements and approval procedures, concerns regarding direct imports and border compliance, and the need for sufficient notice before implementation to allow traders adequate time to comply.

To address these concerns, the meeting agreed on several measures, including a familiarization visit for KACITA representatives to the UCC Type Approval Laboratory, developing practical compliance solutions, and establishing a joint UCC–KACITA Technical Committee to support continuous stakeholder engagement throughout the process.

The stakeholders also agreed on the need to conduct nationwide sensitization of traders on the SIMU Klear and Type Approval requirements, develop guidance on direct imports and compliance procedures, and hold a joint media briefing to communicate the implementation roadmap to the public.

This stakeholder engagement initiative aligns with the government’s Digital Uganda Vision, which seeks to leverage ICT as a driver of socio-economic development. By ensuring that only genuine and approved communication devices operate on the networks, the SIMU Klear campaign contributes to a safer and more trusted digital environment.

The Uganda Communications Act, 2013 mandates UCC to protect consumer interests, ensure the provision of quality communications services, and promote national and international standards for ICT equipment and services.