Telecommunications

The Uganda Communications Act, 1997, was passed under the general macro policy of liberalization and privatization, which has been pursued by the Government of Uganda in order to promote investment.

• The Government of Uganda through Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which is the regulatory body of the communications sector in Uganda: UCC: Uganda Communications Commission – Communications for all
• All telecommunication companies are licensed and regulated by the government through the Uganda Communications Commission.
• At present there are a number of telecommunication service providers in Uganda providing land line, mobile telephone & Internet Data services; (the leading privately owned service providers are MTN Uganda Ltd and Airtel Uganda Ltd. and Uganda Telecom Ltd, owned by the government of Uganda).
• There is no restriction in the registration of SIM cards as long as one is able to present their National Identity card or passport: Ministry of ICT & National Guidance – Uganda

Table 3.4.1. Uganda: Telephone services.

Telecommunication Regulations:

Importation and licensing of communication equipment is regulated by the Uganda Communications Commission.

• Companies apply detailing the model and make of equipment that they intend to import and the number of frequencies requested.
• Frequencies are allocated and paid for per frequency and per gadget.
• So long as one operates within the given guidelines, there is no restriction on the usage of the communication equipment after licensing.

Table 3.4.2. Uganda: Regulations.

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

At present, the humanitarian telecoms include VHF, HF and VSAT communications.  

• VHF and HF communications are managed by UNDSS.
• Each humanitarian agency procures its own equipment, gets it installed and during usage, reports to UNDSS on certain channels.
• The equipment is located at the different offices, and some is installed within the vehicles, in addition to the portable equipment held by staff.

Table 3.4.3. Uganda: Existing UN Telecommunication System.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

Internet is available in almost all parts of the country.

• The services are provided through private companies that have been licensed to provide these services.
• The optic fiber option tends to be more reliable that the wireless links.

Table 3.4.4. Uganda: Internet Service Providers.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs):

The mobile network in Uganda covers more than 75% of the country and in most of these areas, and is generally reliable; the main service providers are MTN Uganda ltd and Airtel Uganda Ltd.: GSM Association website.

• The use of mobile money is widespread and is available wherever there is a mobile network, where the key restriction has been withdrawing of sums above UGX 5,000,000 (equivalent to USD 1316).
• Companies offering mobile money services have unlimited number of agents everywhere. These basically offer sending and receiving services.
• There are as well bank agents using agency banking although these are mostly found in urban centers.

Table 3.4.4. Uganda: Mobile Network Operators.