Uganda Joins CTO@125 Celebrations in London

LONDON, September 30, 2026 – Uganda has joined other members of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) in celebrating the organisation’s 125th anniversary in London.

The event has brought together regulators, industry leaders and other stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to reflect on the evolution of telecommunications and discuss the role of digital transformation in social-economic development.

Uganda is represented by a team from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) led by the Board Chairperson, Dr. Charity Basaza Mulenga; Board Member, Mr. Bernard M. Katureebe; Executive Director Nyombi Thembo; and three Directors.

The programme began with a heritage tour, giving delegates an opportunity to trace the journey of telecommunications. A key highlight was the history of the early transatlantic telegraph cables connecting Europe and North America, which marked a significant milestone in global communications. The tour offered a perspective on the transformation of telecommunications from early telegraph systems to today’s advanced digital technologies.

The programme continued with keynote presentations on emerging technologies and the future of digital transformation, highlighting developments shaping the ICT landscape. Ministerial roundtables followed, providing a platform for representatives of member countries to share experiences, approaches and lessons from their respective digital transformation journeys. The discussions also provided an opportunity to benchmark, exchange knowledge and share practical experiences.

The celebrations culminated in the CTO@125 Gala Dinner and Digital Excellence Awards, which recognised innovation and outstanding digital initiatives across the Commonwealth. UCC’s e-Booster programme was one of the recognised projects.

Implemented through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), the e-Booster initiative supports locally developed ICT solutions that address challenges in unserved and underserved communities and sectors.

The CTO is an intergovernmental treaty organisation that promotes and facilitates the effective adoption of ICTs and fosters affordable, secure and universal access to ICTs for sustainable development. Uganda is an active member and currently serves as First Vice-Chair of the CTO Executive Committee.

Uganda’s participation in CTO activities provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge, benchmark with other countries and regulators across the Commonwealth, strengthen partnerships and gain insights to support the country’s digital transformation aspirations.