UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo.
By Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director, UCC
Today at the Uganda Communications Commission, we had the distinct honour of receiving our partners from American Tower Corporation (ATC) in the presence of the Minister of State for ICT & National Guidance, Hon. Dr Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo.
ATC officially presented their statutory 2% contribution to gross annual revenue, demonstrating corporate responsibility and a shared commitment to expanding digital inclusion across Uganda. As a regulator, @UCC_Official sits at the intersection of government, operators, and consumers. Our principle is simple: we cannot regulate what does not work. Our mandate is to foster an environment in which operators can grow and deliver reliable services nationwide.
Every shilling from this levy serves a clear, transparent purpose. Half is directed to the Consolidated Fund for national development, while the other half is retained by @UCC_Official to finance the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund and to drive technical skilling at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Nakawa. These investments ensure that unserved and underserved rural communities are fully integrated into our digital economy. We also addressed the critical issue of infrastructure security. Damaging a telecom tower isn’t just property damage; it disconnects communities, disrupts businesses, and robs citizens of opportunity.
Firm enforcement measures, involving law enforcement and the judiciary, are yielding results, including a recent five-year prison sentence for an infrastructure vandal. Furthermore, we reassure the public that the scientific consensus repeatedly confirms that telecom towers pose no health risks. Towers are tools for connection, opportunity, and economic empowerment. When sound policy, strong regulation, and private investment work in harmony, all Ugandans win.
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