Today, we held a third constructive dialogue with Wi-Fi/Hotspot operators affiliated with the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), the National Entrepreneurs & Traders Association (NETA), and individuals dealing in the ‘business’.
The meeting focused on establishing a balanced path forward that protects consumer interests, safeguards critical infrastructure investments, and promotes fair business practices in the digital space.
To achieve a true win-win for both operators and consumers, I outlined key guidelines that must govern industry operations going forward;
First, a dedicated industry committee will be created. Because collaboration requires structured dialogue, we will establish a joint committee comprising representatives from
@UCC_Official, relevant state agencies, security organs, and 7 (seven) hotspot operators to streamline communication, address operational bottlenecks, and ensure continuous industry engagement.
Operators must also comply with mandatory licensing and proper categorisation (for example, community licensing, as defined in the law). Offering telecommunications services without a valid licence is untenable, as licensing is essential to formalise operations, ensure industry sustainability, and reflect the true value derived from business activities.
Furthermore, the Commission is introducing clear service categorisation to distinguish between different tiers of operation, such as home-use packages versus commercial resale, ensuring that wholesale, midstream, and downstream costs are fair across the board. A registration link will be created to identify the package type for each group and include costs and registration guidelines.
Finally, the framework emphasises strict adherence to fair usage, tax declarations, and network integrity. Sustainable pricing means services must remain affordable, equitable, and compliant with national tax and revenue collection systems.
Operators must move away from unfair practices, such as buying home internet packages exclusively for commercial resale, as some have turned it into a business by selling to neighbours, distorting market pricing and compromising overall network quality.
We are regulators with a human face who understand the drive required to build a business, but compliance is non-negotiable to protect legitimate enterprises from unfair competition, secure consumer data, combat cyber threats, and ensure that Uganda's digital economy grows on a foundation of fairness.
All these efforts are linked to the unconditional, voluntary stoppage of telecom services by unlicensed illegal operators. The seven-day deadline expired on Monday 19th October 2026.