BREAKING NEWS: Eng. Irene Kaggwa resigns from Uganda Communications Commission after 26 years of service

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Telecom and Electrical Engineer, Irene Kaggwa-Sewankambo has resigned from her role of Director Engineering and Communications Infrastructure, according to a leaked internal email sent to UCC staff, and authored by Joyce Kasirye, UCC Director of Human Resource and Administration.

Until  her resignation, Kaggwa was largely known in the public arena for her role as the former UCC Executive Director where she  served her tenure in acting capacity which lasted for nearly four years since February 2020, with long ticks and remarkable achievements to her name, after taking over from Godfrey Mutabazi.

She was replaced in November, 2023, by Nyombi Thembo, a shrewd politician and an economist, and no stranger to the corporate corridors at UCC headquarters in Bugolobi, an affluent Kampala suburb.

“I’m writing to inform you that Engineer Irene Kaggwa, the Director of Engineering and Communications Infrastructure has resigned from her position. Her last working day will be on 19th July 2024,” Ms Kasirye wrote. 

Kasirye noted that Eng. Kaggwa has been an integral part of UCC having served in various capacities and her contributions have significantly impacted the organisation’s success,

 “She [Kaggwa] has decided to pursue new opportunities, and while we will miss her, we wish her all the best in her future endeavours. We are currently working on a transition plan and we will keep you updated on the progress,” she added.

Big C.V 

Kaggwa has a vast experience in the ICT sector spanning policy development, research, regulation and implementation in various aspects including internet development, licensing, universal access, quality of service, numbering resource management as well as promotion of research and innovation.

An engineer by profession, she holds a Master of Science in Communications Systems and Signal Processing from University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and a Master of Science in Economic Management and Policy (Business Economic Pathway) from University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom. She acquired her Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University Kampala.

Her previous roles also included serving as the Head of Research and Development Unit as well as Coordinator of the Office of the Executive Director.

Kaggwa oversaw the launch of the cutting edge 5G network technology revolution spearheaded by Uganda’s telecom sector last year, and digital innovations within the radio and television space.

Even in her last days as Acting executive director, she was at the forefront of Airtel’s listing on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), following the listing of  MTN in 2021.

The listing of the two major telecoms in the country was a requirement under the National Broadband Policy launched in 2018 requiring telecoms to list at least their 20 percent shareholding on USE.

In the public arena, Ms Kaggwa leads an active corporate life appearing on major discussion panels.

Ms Kaggwa was also at forefront of growing telecom revenues for Shs 4.26 trillion in 2020 to Shs 4.87 trillion in 2022, reduced cost of a gigabyte (GB) to Shs 5000, and the growth of internet subscriptions to 26 million among other key achievements.