By Mulengera Reporters
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on Thursday, held it’s 15th edition of the Communications Consumer Parliament in Soroti City, centering discussions on digital safety, transparency, and protection of consumers, particularly those in rural areas and SACCOs increasingly falling victim to digital fraud.
The event, held at Soroti Hotel under the theme “Digital Safety, Your Priority,” brought together telecom operators, consumer protection advocates, and regional leaders to explore the realities facing digital users in a fast-changing communication landscape.
For UCC, the forum offered another opportunity to reflect on its ongoing engagements with the public, assess complaints received, and evaluate how service providers are responding to growing concerns, especially around poor service delivery, hidden charges, data privacy, and fraud in mobile-based financial platforms.
According to Eng. Alfred Bogere, Director for Engineering and Communication Infrastructure at UCC, the annual Parliament is more than just a talk-shop, but a platform where both the regulator and service providers account for consumer-related matters and identify areas for improvement.
From UCC’s recent field engagements, it has become clear that many SACCO members and village-based users are struggling to navigate the digital space safely. The growing shift towards mobile banking, mobile money services, and online transactions has exposed a gap in digital awareness (one that fraudsters are now exploiting).
Joseph Kizito, who heads the Consumer Affairs Department at UCC, explained that while the Commission has tried to raise awareness at the grassroots using radio talk shows and town hall meetings, there is still more to be done.
He pointed out that rural communities are often left to operate in environments where they lack the necessary information to protect themselves, making them vulnerable to misleading promotions and cybercrime. SACCO members, in particular, are targeted through SMS scams and fake investment platforms.
Regional leaders echoed these concerns, with Soroti’s Deputy RCC, Clare Ayipo, calling for policy adjustments that do not only secure users’ data and digital money but also ensure that no group is excluded from the benefits of technology.
Telecom providers also weighed in, highlighting ongoing investments in infrastructure and consumer protection efforts.
MTN’s General Manager for Customer Experience, Dorcus Muhwezi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to digital inclusion, describing the telecom as an enabler of modern connected life for many Ugandans. She said MTN continues to expand connectivity to underserved areas, ensuring that even rural dwellers like those in Soroti can access safe and affordable digital services.
Airtel Uganda, through its Head of Contact and Digital Experiences, Mike Muhangi, announced that the company is currently undertaking a major upgrade of its network to improve communication experiences for its customers across the country.
On his part, Lycamobile Uganda’s Head of Customer Experience, Jude Alom, said the operator is mindful of offering affordable access because the internet is now an essential need rather than a luxury.
UCC officials reiterated that the Commission is tightening its industry monitoring mechanisms, not only to ensure fairness but also to hold telecoms accountable where service delivery falls short.
