Mariam ❤️Story

Last year in Dubai, Uganda joined the Administrative Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Yesterday, I had the distinct honour of representing Uganda at our first council meeting in Berne, Switzerland, alongside delegates from Uganda. While traditional mail volumes have shifted globally, the postal sector is experiencing a powerful resurgence driven by two critical pillars, namely e-commerce and the transformation of postal networks into vital government service centres. Someone might ask, “Why is the UPU important?” Since the breakup of the Uganda Posts and Telecommunications Company, a key agency in Uganda, many Ugandans may not understand the importance of the post. Today, Uganda has an organisation called Posta Uganda Limited, which is 100% government-owned and one of the 40 postal and courier organisations regulated by UCC. People may not always appreciate what the postal and courier sector does. But if you understand how e-commerce is evolving, you'll understand what we mean. As e-commerce redefines global trade, physical parcels require reliable last-mile delivery, secure customs handling, and robust national address systems. Following the successful refurbishment of our Kampala Road post office, we’re modernising more outlets nationwide, turning them into accessible service hubs for citizens, as seen in successful models across developing nations. During my engagements here in Berne, I had the privilege of meeting the UPU Secretary General, Masahiko Metoki, and the Deputy Secretary General, Marjan Osvald, to deepen our institutional collaboration. Our discussions focused mainly on expanding digital capabilities for our designated postal operator, enhancing last-mile logistics, including the rollout of our 70 postal motorbikes, and securing invaluable technical expertise for Uganda’s National Addressing System under the NDPIV framework. The postal sector is no longer just about letters; it is a vital engine of modern logistics, digital trade, and inclusive public service delivery. @UCC_Official remains committed to positioning Uganda at the forefront of the evolving global landscape.

Last evening, we held a high-level consultative meeting with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to address the operation of unlicensed public Hotspots nationwide. We primarily focused on the widespread disruption caused by illegal public hotspot operations, market distortions, and the urgent need to safeguard the integrity of digital infrastructure. During extensive deliberations, licensed operators under the Internet Service Providers Association of Uganda (ISPAU), led by their chairman Godfrey Sserwamukoko, raised serious concerns about the proliferation of unauthorised public hotspots. It was highlighted that unauthorised entities purchase bulk high-speed fixed broadband, fibre-to-the-home, and fixed wireless access from licensed networks and illegally resell connectivity to the public without proper authorisation or tax compliance. We have noted that this practice creates unfair market competition, distorts pricing structures, and deprives the government of billions in revenue. Furthermore, they raised concerns about infrastructure safety, as unauthorised routers are frequently mounted on utility poles without commercial or safety approvals, posing serious risks, including electrocution and maintenance difficulties. The meeting acknowledged the complexities of the digital market and engaged in deep reflection on industry-wide compliance, consumer protection, and regulatory enforcement. Following rigorous discussions, the session reached agreement on critical aspects to govern the sector moving forward: 1. Addressing Illegality: There was an unequivocal consensus among all participants that unlicensed public Wi-Fi operations constitute an economic crime and a direct breach of the UCC Act, 2013. The meeting resolved that illegal operations must be systematically identified and halted to protect the formal telecommunications ecosystem. 2. Formalisation and Onboarding: We emphasised the need to establish a structured framework to integrate willing and eligible operators into the formal regulatory space. We are exploring robust onboarding guidelines, clear definitions of market activity, and fair compliance pathways to encourage legitimate business participation without compromising industry standards. 3. The discussions underscored the need for robust billing and subscription-tracking systems. We have agreed to optimise monitoring tools to accurately track data consumption, address pricing discrepancies and prevent market exploitation by unregulated resellers. 4. Enforcing Disconnection and Takedowns: To root out persistent non-compliance, members affirmed the implementation of strict enforcement measures. This includes the immediate identification and disabling of illegal network access points, the removal of unauthorised routers from public infrastructure, and active collaboration with authorities such as the Uganda Revenue Authority to block the importation of unverified equipment. While the transition requires a delicate, gradual balance to safeguard consumer access and market stability, decisive enforcement is non-negotiable. @UCC_Official remains committed to fostering a secure, competitive, and legally compliant digital environment that safeguards consumer rights, protects data privacy, and supports sustainable national development.