By Mulengera Reporters
Uganda has reaffirmed its leadership role in Africa’s communication and postal sectors, following high-level engagements at the 43rd Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Administrative Council, which concluded this week in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Ugandan delegation, led by the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Hon. Nyombi Thembo, held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Burkina Faso and Niger, and other countries on Monday, aimed at strengthening both diplomatic ties and sectoral cooperation.
The discussions were held on the sidelines of the council meeting and focused on areas such as digital infrastructure, regulatory collaboration, and cross-border connectivity.
The engagements marked another step forward in Uganda’s efforts to deepen regional integration under the broader framework of PAPU, a continental body working to transform postal services and communication systems across Africa.
At the centre of Uganda’s participation was its active contribution to PAPU’s strategic direction and governance. The country currently holds the position of Assistant Secretary of the Union, represented by Ms. Jessica Ssengoba.
Uganda is now seeking re-election to retain this post, alongside its seat on the Administrative Council, having previously served in this capacity during the 2012-2016 and 2016-2020 cycles.
Uganda is also providing leadership within PAPU’s internal technical committees, where Ms. Agatha Kyakunzire chairs the Strategy Committee, while Julius Sabiiti leads the Finance Committee. Through these roles, Uganda has been instrumental in shaping the union’s operational priorities, ensuring financial oversight, and driving initiatives that aim to modernise the black continent’s postal systems.
The Administrative Council plays a critical oversight role between PAPU’s plenipotentiary conferences. It supervises implementation of the union’s programmes and deals with a wide range of issues including regulation, administration, legislation, and legal frameworks within the postal sector.
According to UCC, it’s participation this year was not only strategic but also forward-looking. The delegation pushed for closer collaboration among African nations to jointly invest in modern postal and communication infrastructure, while ensuring that digital transformation reaches even the most underserved regions.
Thembo said such partnerships were essential in promoting sustainable development and enabling the free flow of goods, information, and services across borders.
During the bilateral meetings, the delegations agreed to continue working closely through existing PAPU structures and to explore technical exchange programmes and policy alignment (especially in the face of growing demand for e-commerce and cross-border trade facilitation).
Uganda used the platform to make a case for stronger policy harmonisation, capacity-building, and innovation funding, with discussions also emphasising the need for member states to jointly address regulatory gaps that hinder regional postal growth.
As Uganda seeks to retain and expand its role within PAPU, UCC remains confident that the country’s long-standing commitment, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit will continue to position it as a key player in driving Africa’s communication agenda.
