The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has urged postal and logistics operators across East Africa to embrace digital transformation, innovation, and collaboration in response to shifting customer needs and rapid technological change.
Speaking on behalf of the UCC Executive Director at the opening of the 4th East African Communications Organization (EACO) Post and Logistics Forum (EPLF4) at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Fred Otunnu, UCC’s Director for Corporate Affairs, reaffirmed the continued relevance of the postal sector in the digital age.
“Much has been said about the future of postal services. Some have even gone as far as declaring the post dead. But reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated,” said Otunnu. “Through innovation and digitization, the sector is reinventing itself and finding renewed relevance in the modern economy.”
Held under the theme “Elevating Excellence: Enhancing Post and Logistics for Customer and Supplier Satisfaction,” the three-day forum brings together postal operators, regulators, service providers, and development partners from across East Africa to explore strategies for modernizing the region’s postal and logistics ecosystem.
Otunnu highlighted the crucial role the postal sector played during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the need for robust last-mile delivery systems.
“One key lesson we learnt from the pandemic is the importance of reliable delivery systems, those that delivered medicine, food, clothing, and essential supplies when everything else was shut down,” he said.
He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting Uganda’s recent election to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Council of Administration in Dubai as a milestone in international collaboration.
Otunnu praised EACO’s role in fostering regional cooperation and underscored the need for harmonized standards and unified strategies in an interconnected communications landscape.
“No single country can thrive in isolation. Communication knows no borders. Platforms such as EACO help us forge unity, harmonize standards, and harness shared opportunities for growth.”
He revealed that forum discussions will focus on e-logistics, postal digitization, and e-commerce, critical areas for building a resilient, future-ready postal system.
“Together, we can elevate excellence and shape a postal sector that truly delivers for customers, suppliers, and the region,” Otunnu concluded.
Ms. Caroline Koech, Executive Director of EACO, stressed the urgent need for digital reinvention:
“Technology has reshaped customer expectations. The future belongs to those who adapt and collaborate. We must invest in digital transformation, update our policy and regulatory frameworks, and strengthen institutional capacity.”
Mr. Derek Osborn of Whatnext4U echoed similar sentiments, urging operators to build strategic partnerships:
“We cannot do it all by ourselves. We must extend our range, reach, scope, and pace. To stay relevant especially to the youth who are always on their phones, we need to do things differently.”
Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Secretary General of the Pan-African Postal Union (PAPU), also emphasized the centrality of innovation and collaboration in shaping the future of the sector:
“We must embrace innovation, invest in technology, and prioritize customer satisfaction. The postal and logistics industry must evolve, and that evolution begins with forums like this one.”
The 4th EACO Post and Logistics Forum is part of broader regional efforts to modernize and integrate East Africa’s postal systems, aligning them with global digital economies and international logistics standards.
