UCC Assures Telecom Operators of Consultative and Evidence-Based Regulation

By Mulengera Reporters

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to consultative, evidence-based and commercially sensitive regulation as it seeks to create an environment in which telecommunications operators can grow, invest and expand services to Ugandans.

Speaking during an engagement with telecommunications operators at UCC House in Bugolobi on June 11, 2026, the UCC Executive Director said the regulator’s interventions are not developed in isolation but are informed by consultations with industry players and an assessment of available evidence.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the regulator and telecommunications operators to discuss issues affecting the sector and examine how regulatory decisions can support continued investment while safeguarding the interests of consumers.

The Executive Director Nyombi Thembo assured operators that UCC takes into consideration the commercial realities of the telecommunications industry when developing regulatory interventions. In particular, the Commission assesses operators’ business and revenue models to ensure that regulatory measures do not undermine their ability to remain commercially sustainable.

The assurance comes at a time when telecommunications operators continue to play a central role in Uganda’s digital economy. Investments in mobile networks, broadband infrastructure and other communications services require significant capital, making a predictable and sustainable regulatory environment important for continued growth.

UCC said its objective is to ensure that operators are able to thrive while meeting their obligations to consumers and the wider public.

“We want operators to thrive, invest, and continue expanding services to Ugandans,” the Executive Director said, emphasizing the link between a profitable telecommunications sector and broader national development objectives.

According to the Commission, a financially sustainable industry is essential for encouraging innovation, expanding network coverage and improving the quality of services available to consumers. It also supports Uganda’s wider digital transformation ambitions by enabling operators to continue investing in infrastructure and new technologies.

The regulator’s position signals an emphasis on balancing regulatory oversight with the economic realities facing telecommunications companies. While UCC is mandated to ensure compliance with laws, standards and consumer protection requirements, it also recognizes that excessive or poorly designed interventions could affect investment and service expansion.

The Commission therefore says it remains committed to engaging operators before introducing regulatory measures, allowing industry stakeholders to provide information, raise concerns and contribute to the development of workable solutions.

Such consultations are intended to ensure that regulatory decisions are grounded in facts rather than assumptions, while also taking account of the likely impact on operators, consumers and the wider communications ecosystem.

UCC further emphasized the importance of fairness and transparency in regulating the sector. The Commission said all operators should have an opportunity to compete and grow within a clear regulatory framework, while consumers should continue to receive quality and reliable communications services.

The engagement also underscores the increasingly important relationship between regulators and industry stakeholders as Uganda expands its digital economy. Telecommunications operators are expected to remain key drivers of connectivity, digital services, innovation and economic activity, particularly as demand for internet and mobile-based services continues to grow.

UCC’s commitment to consultative regulation is therefore aimed at creating a balance between industry growth and regulatory responsibility. By engaging operators and assessing the commercial implications of proposed interventions, the Commission hopes to encourage investment while ensuring that the sector continues to serve the needs of Ugandans.

The regulator said it will continue working with telecommunications operators to promote a fair, transparent and sustainable market capable of supporting innovation, network expansion and Uganda’s long-term digital transformation goals. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).