Ugandans will access Starlink-powered satellite internet only through licensed local telecommunications operators and not through a direct consumer launch, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ruled. In a detailed clarification issued by the UCC Executive Director, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the regulator said recent public comments attributed to him had been misunderstood, creating the impression that Starlink, in partnership with Airtel Uganda, was about to roll out direct-to-consumer services in the country. While acknowledging the excitement surrounding low-earth-orbit satellite technology, the Commission stressed that such an interpretation is inaccurate. The clarification follows the announcement of a group-level strategic agreement between Airtel…
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In a ruling that reinforces Ugandan courts’ discretion to retain jurisdiction over disputes relating to alleged illegality, Justice Patience Rubagumya of the Commercial Division of the High Court declined to…
As digital disruption, shrinking revenues, and tighter regulation squeeze Uganda’s media. An industry crowded with over 300 radio stations, dozens of TV outlets, and countless online rivals, faces existential battles over relevance, revenue, and survival. From debt-ridden houses to the rise of TikTok and Google, broadcasters are under siege. Yet Dr Innocent Nahabwe, Chair of the National Association of Broadcasters, insists it is an industry in pain, but not broken — and outlines how resilience, credibility, and innovation can future-proof its revival. What is your vision for the broadcasting industry in Uganda? The broadcasting industry has faced numerous challenges. The…
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Ugandans will determine whether French media giant Groupe Canal+ effectively completes the takeover of South Africa’s MultiChoice and GOTV in Uganda. The move is part of a larger acquisition in more than 50 countries. In a notice on Tuesday, broadcast regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), noted that Groupe Canal+ had applied for the transfer of shares for the control of MultiChoice subsidiaries in Uganda. This followed the completion of a $3 billion deal in July to acquire 100% of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv in Uganda. The move marks the latest step in a transaction that…
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Bharti Airtel’s tower infrastructure arm, Indus Towers, is stepping into Africa for the first time — and it is beginning with Uganda, Nigeria, and Zambia. The move, disclosed in recent stock exchange filings and reported by India’s Business Today and The Economic Times, signals a new competitive phase in Africa’s passive telecom infrastructure market. A Strategic Leap Beyond India In its filing, Indus Towers’ board said it had “approved the Company’s foray into African markets, beginning with Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia,” citing the “growth potential in emerging geographies” . The expansion will be anchored by its long-standing partnership with Bharti…
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When the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) opened its doors over two decades ago, it was with a modest mandate to oversee the nascent communications landscape of a post-liberalisation era. Today, the Commission stands as a giant, with digital footprints across the country and global recognition on the international stage. At the centre of this journey is Nyombi Thembo, UCC’s Executive Director, whose voice brims with conviction and pride as he reflects on the institution’s legacy and the path ahead. “This journey has etched an enduring legacy across the country, propelling institutional growth and catapulting the broader communications sector into a…
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In a significant step for Uganda’s banking sector, Cathy Adengo, the Head of Sustainability at Stanbic Bank Uganda, has been elected as the inaugural Chairperson of the Uganda Bankers’ Association…
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In the age of fibre optics, mobile money, and the explosive promise of artificial intelligence, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) sits at the epicenter of a digital revolution from telecom licensing and data security to rural connectivity and tech innovation. But beneath this sweeping mandate, the Auditor General exposes a sobering reality – one riddled with enforcement lapses, delayed projects, uncollected revenue, and missed opportunities in a sector central to Uganda’s transformation ambitions. The report for the year ended June 2024, steeped in detail and accompanied by sharp recommendations, draws a portrait of a regulator that is technically capable but,…
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Imagine Posta Uganda, formerly Uganda Post Limited, as a traditional service provider—delivering mail, packages, selling stamps, and offering agency banking in remote outposts. It’s not glamorous, but it remains an integral cog in Uganda’s infrastructure. But importance doesn’t always translate to profitability. In the year ended June 2024, Posta earned UGX18.55 billion in operating revenue, mostly from core activities like mail delivery, courier services, and agency functions. On paper, it reported UGX18.11 billion in expenses. However, the Auditor General put the actual figure at UGX17.33 billion, revealing a UGX780 million gap. The 4.3% variance raises eyebrows: Were some costs overstated?…
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In May 2021, Bank of Uganda issued two licenses to Airtel Mobile Commerce and MTN Mobile Money to conduct various money transfer and payment services. The licenses were partly intended to implement sections of the National Payment System Act 2020, which had transferred the regulation of mobile money from the Uganda Communications Commission to the Central Bank. In the years leading up to the enactment of the National Payment System Act 2020, there had been various conversations that highlighted the risk of an unregulated digital financial system. But in all this, government had become aware of the problem that not…
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