Yesterday, I held an inspiring meeting with the legendary filmmakers and journalists Faustin Misanvu and the seasoned agriculturalist Bat Kakooza to craft a blockbuster project we are calling "Camera on the Farm". This initiative will bridge a vital gap by creatively connecting agricultural enterprises, local farmers, top-tier celebrities, influencers, and musicians. By bringing creative minds and media powerhouses directly into the field alongside expert agricultural extension workers, we are redefining how agricultural extension is delivered. We want to use this star power and multimedia presence across television, radio, and digital platforms to capture young people’s attention and interest, making agriculture aspirational at every stage from planting and acquiring seedlings to exporting and adding value. Whether we focus on coffee farming, matooke production, goat keeping, or poultry, our goal is to ensure vital information and best practices reach underserved communities that desperately need these services. This project is a true passion of mine, combining expert multimedia knowledge with grassroots farming to create something truly ambitious and exciting.

Two high-level representatives from Group Vivendi Africa, Mr Jean Francios Duboy and Julius Kayoboke, paid a courtesy visit. The main purpose of the visit was to update the Commission on GVA's progress and on its investment in Uganda's ICT sector. In addition, we discussed other key ICT sector issues. I welcomed GVA's continued investment, commended GVA for contributing to market competition and consumer choice, and reiterated the Commission's commitment to a predictable, transparent and enabling regulatory environment that attracts long-term investment while safeguarding consumers. We agreed to maintain open dialogue and collaboration to support the sustainable growth of Uganda's ICT sector.

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.

I had the pleasure of joining consumers, industry stakeholders, @UCC_Official Board members, and local leaders in Fort Portal today for the successful conclusion of the 16th Consumer Parliament. At @UCC_Official, we recognise that listening to our consumers is where true progress begins. With over 26 million people relying on communication services daily, our devices have become extensions of our lives. We value them immensely, and we take your feedback and concerns seriously. During our engagement, we tackled critical industry issues, including quality of service and infrastructure, addressed the operational realities of ICT service delivery, balanced network deployment, and ensured operators adhered to fair licensing and tax frameworks. We also focused heavily on Child Online Protection. As we navigate the digital age, information has become the primary raw material for decision-making. However, with children entering the online space earlier than ever as digital citizens, with over 6 billion online neighbours (internet subscribers worldwide), parenting and gatekeeping must evolve. “Children no longer ask for your cars, pancakes or sweets; all they ask for is data” Technology offers incredible opportunities, but it also demands our collective responsibility. Dear Parents, let’s fulfil our gatekeeping role. The teachers at school - you remain the critical first line of defence in keeping our children safe online. We have heard your feedback loud and clear, and UCC remains fully committed to doing whatever it takes to put things right. To my consumer affairs team, led by Director Mrs Julian Mweheire, thank you so much for this successful consumers' parliament. Let us keep this conversation burning long after Fort Portal and across Uganda.

This afternoon, I met His Worship Henry Kagali, the Mayor of Kiboga Town Council, for a productive discussion on community development programmes and initiatives. We explored ways to drive local transformation, particularly by expanding digital connectivity and strengthening ICT programmes that benefit Kiboga residents, especially youth. I applauded him for pushing government programmes to benefit his people, which is uncommon, especially among opposition leaders. We also shared wonderful moments discussing youth empowerment and grassroots collaboration to ensure that technological advances and government services reach every corner of the community. We remain fully committed to leveraging technology to foster sustainable socio-economic growth across the country.

This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting one of Western Uganda’s talented music stars, TPaul256, aka The Kakoba Boy, ahead of his concert, TPaul Live in Concert, which is taking place on 24th October 2026 at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara. As someone with a background and a deep belief that art and culture are fundamental to our society, it is always inspiring to see homegrown talent take centre stage. Art builds communities, and supporting our creative industry means uplifting the brilliant voices that put our regions on the map. Aba Mbarara, Mwetegekire? Let’s turn up in large numbers to support TPaul for an unforgettable experience.

Today, @UCC_Official, along with stakeholders @mtnug, @Airtel_Ug, and @URAuganda, held a press conference to address the public about the growing challenge of illegal public Wi-Fi hotspot operators across the country. While expanding digital inclusion and keeping internet access affordable remain fundamental goals, all telecom services must operate strictly within the legal bounds set by the Uganda Communications Act, 2013. Currently, over 4,000 unlicensed operators are illegally reselling commercial and residential broadband. This practice not only undermines legitimate providers but also costs the nation approximately UGX 148 Bn in lost annual tax revenue. Beyond the financial impact, these unauthorised networks pose serious cybersecurity, data privacy, and consumer protection risks to everyday users, while mounting unapproved equipment on public utility poles creates physical safety hazards. To resolve these challenges fairly, we are giving all unauthorised Wi-Fi hotspot operators a 7-day ultimatum to halt their services and remove any illegal apparatus before our nationwide enforcement campaign begins. Recognising the need for constructive engagement, @UCC_Official will host guidance sessions starting this Friday, 16th October 2026, to help willing operators transition to legal operations in line with the licensing frameworks. In the meantime, the public is strongly encouraged to rely solely on licensed internet service providers to safeguard their data and ensure uninterrupted access.

This afternoon, I hosted Mr Abraham Luzzi, an entrepreneur and content creator, and had a substantive conversation centred on how we can work together to improve the quality of digital content produced in the country. We explored various avenues to support creators, enhance storytelling, and ensure our digital spaces reflect meaningful, impactful narratives. We also discussed some of his recent content that ridiculed senior politicians in our country. We reached some consensus on how to handle this going forward. Furthermore, I highlighted the importance of guiding and working alongside individuals passionate about digital spaces, ultimately driving initiatives that benefit Uganda's broader digital community. It was nice having you, Mr Luzzi.

This morning, alongside the @UCC_Official Top Management Team, I chaired a comprehensive and productive meeting with several Hotspot/Wi-Fi operators. This engagement follows our previous discussions on enforcement actions against unauthorised internet operators and related regulatory compliance. During our interactions, several critical issues have been raised, and letters and complaints have been received that required a deeper, more objective regulatory review. True to our ethos of professional honesty and fair regulation, the Commission has taken time to thoroughly examine these concerns. We recognise that effective regulation must balance the public interest, which safeguards the foundational welfare of all citizens, with industry growth. Unchecked operations that bypass established public frameworks ultimately undermine the collective interest and harm the wider sector. Referring to the tragedy of the commons, it states, “If individuals act freely to pursue their self-interests, they end up destroying the shared resources, ultimately diminishing their own long-term interests too.” For example, overgrazing prevents the soil from regenerating, leading to a situation where there is nothing left to feed the cows. We remain committed to maintaining an environment in which the public interest is protected, ensuring that infrastructure development, public safety, and national revenue streams that support essential public services are preserved. We appreciate the constructive dialogue and insights shared by Wi-Fi operators today. Moving forward, we will continue to engage collaboratively with all stakeholders to address these challenges, refine our regulatory frameworks, and foster a sustainable, compliant, and thriving digital environment for all. We will issue a public notice on the matter before the end of this week.

Yesterday, I was honoured to join the Minister for ICT & National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, distinguished leaders and well-wishers at Drajin Hill Seed Secondary School in Aringa South, Yumbe District, where we gathered to celebrate the thanksgiving ceremony for the Minister of State for ICT & National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria. “Behold how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity." (Psalms 133:1) Moments like these highlight the strong, collaborative spirit that drives our sector forward. On behalf of @UCC_Official, I congratulate Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria and reaffirm our continued commitment to working closely with our ministry leadership to serve the nation and advance digital transformation across Uganda.

We have done it again! The Uganda Communications Commission has been named Outstanding Regulatory Body of the Year at the KACITA Quality Awards 2026. To KACITA and the entire trade fraternity, thank you for believing in us! This victory belongs not just to us; it belongs to every trader, entrepreneur, and institution we serve, and to the resilient private sector driving Uganda forward. We pledge to keep raising the bar, connecting, protecting and empowering Uganda! Happy 64th Independence Day, Uganda #HappyIndependenceDay #KACITAQualityAwards2026 #ConnectedUg2030

Our motherland, Uganda, has reached a milestone that reflects national maturity, a period characterised by mature institutions, a mature citizenry, and a collective commitment to excellence across all sectors. Through strategic frameworks such as the NDP IV, our overarching national goal is clear: to grow our economy 10-fold by 2040. Achieving this ambitious standard requires every Ugandan, regardless of age or sector, to increase their contribution. For a farmer, if you have been producing 10 bags of maize, now is the time to innovate and aim for 100. Growth of this scale cannot happen overnight, but it must be our shared objective. Whatever we build or deliver, we must seek to multiply our efforts and impact 10-fold. A nation’s strategic vision becomes reality only through the dedication of its people. As John F. Kennedy famously noted, we must reflect not only on what our country can do for us, but also on what we can do for our country. My heartfelt congratulations to all Ugandans on reaching this important day in our history. We remain grateful to our national leadership for their strategic guidance and vision for our country’s future. Let us celebrate this independence with a renewed commitment to productivity, innovation, and to national progress. #HappyIndependenceDay

Last evening, I accompanied the State Minister for ICT, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, as she delivered H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's condolences to the family of the late Moses Matovu. During our visit, we reiterated H.E. the President's commitment to honouring the late Matovu’s profound legacy. First of all, plans to officially commemorate his immense contribution to Uganda's creative industry and to construct a family residence on his land in Mukono, an initiative coordinated through @UCC_Official. Secondly, full government sponsorship for his daughter, currently a fourth-year medical student at IUIU, covering her remaining tuition and medical internship costs. May the soul of the legendary Moses Matovu (Papa Moi) rest in eternal peace.

Yesterday, I joined the Permanent Secretary @MoICT_Ug, Dr Aminah Zawedde, who represented Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, UCC Board Chair Dr Charity Basaza Mulenga, at Kololo S.S. for the Official Launch of the Child Online Protection Campaign, run by our Economic Regulation, Content and Consumers Affairs Department, headed by Mrs Julian Muheirwe. Today’s young generation is born with a digital footprint. Before our children master everyday offline skills, they already know how to use tablets and access data. While the internet offers unprecedented opportunities for education, creativity, and connection, it also exposes our children to dangers such as cyberbullying, pornography, online harassment, and emerging risks associated with AI and new technologies. Our goal at @UCC_Official is not to keep our children off the internet, which is neither realistic nor productive. Our mission is to make online platforms safer so our children can learn, connect, and innovate without fear. Through our Child Online Protection Regulatory Framework 2026, @UCC_Official is committed to turning policy into tangible safeguards. However, regulatory action alone is not enough. Safety is a shared responsibility across our entire ecosystem, including law enforcement, telecom operators, schools, civil society, parents, and the young digital citizens themselves. To our students: Think before you post. Do not participate in bullying or harassment, and never suffer in silence. Always report to a trusted adult. Let us all reclaim our collective responsibility to protect and nurture our children, raising them as responsible, safe digital citizens.

This afternoon, I met with the leadership of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum, led by their Executive Director, Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, to discuss how we can deepen strategic collaboration between @UCC_Official and our higher education institutions. As technology rapidly evolves, ICT can no longer be viewed through a single lens; the convergence of multidisciplinary knowledge is essential. As a strategic voice in shaping national policy, our conversation was mainly focused on 3 major areas. 1. PhD Sponsorships: We are aligning targeted PhD sponsorship programmes directly with our national technology roadmap and urgent regulatory research needs. 2. Knowledge Cross-Pollination: We are bringing UCC technical experts into university classrooms to bridge theory and policy, while engaging academia in policy research. 3. Streamlined Engagement: Establishing the Vice Chancellors’ Forum as our primary channel for nationwide academic initiatives. When an organisation stops learning, it ceases to be relevant. We are excited to unlock academia's potential to build a smarter, more inclusive digital Uganda.

This morning, I also met with Hon. Muhammad Ssentayi from Lwengo District and discussed key strategies to expand media access in saturated frequency regions. The Central region currently faces significant FM radio spectrum congestion, making new traditional frequency allocations practically impossible. However, @UCC_Official is encouraging local innovators, scientists, and media entrepreneurs to explore creative technological solutions that enable radio broadcasting without causing signal interference. A major pillar of the Commission’s strategy is the promotion of internet broadcasting. Unlike traditional FM, internet radio is not constrained by frequency capacity limits. With growing smartphone adoption and increased data access, internet broadcasting represents the future of media delivery. @UCC_Official is fully prepared to support broadcasters and entrepreneurs ready to transition to and promote internet-based radio services. Furthermore, Uganda is advancing its Digital Audio Broadcasting framework, operating in the 178 MHz to 230 MHz frequency band, to offer broader digital options alongside existing FM channels. To optimise the current FM landscape, the @UCC_Official continues to manage spectrum through a 14-zone regional allocation model. By controlling transmitter power levels and reusing frequencies across non-interfering geographic regions, the Commission ensures maximum broadcast coverage and efficiency nationwide.

Reconnecting with old friends and celebrating life’s milestones is always a true blessing. And there’s a Luganda saying, ‘Omuntu atajjukira gyeyava tawangaala’. As for me, I can’t forget the people who have been part of my life journey. I was delighted to receive a visit from my longtime friend, Paul Lwanyaga, alongside a young artist, ‘Omutugumbuzi’. I am taking time to reflect on Gen Z artists because I am always amused by their stage names, which they prefer to be addressed by rather than their real names. Paul personally dropped by to invite me to his Thanksgiving Service. He was one of those people who helped me a lot when I was starting my leadership journey in Lungujja-Rubaga. Paul’s journey is a powerful testament to grace because he’s a survivor who nearly lost his life in a Kony Ambush on the Karuma-Pakwach Road Looking forward to standing with him to celebrate this special day of thanksgiving on 18th October 2026.

It was an honour to welcome the legendary Annet Nandujja back to my office. From her iconic contributions to traditional music and performance art to leading her cultural group, Planets, Mama Annet has been a cornerstone of Uganda's rich heritage for decades. People always ask why I am so into the arts and creative industry. Well, this is where I came from, and besides, we (@UCC_Official) regulate and promote the creative arts, film, music and public entertainment sector under the Stage Play and Public Entertainment Act. We had a great moment reflecting on the ongoing growth of our creative sector and on how we can further support and protect local talent while celebrating our authentic Ugandan identity. Thank you, Mama, for the continued visits and partnership.

Decades ago, telecommunications in Uganda were a luxury reserved for a select few, with fewer than 5,000 landlines. Today, the landscape has transformed completely, with over 25 million active connected devices bridging urban and rural divides. In a recent interview with Fred Kajubi of Bukedde TV, I reflected on Uganda’s extraordinary technological journey as we prepare to celebrate our 64th Independence. For those of us who have been here for 6 decades, it is clear that Ugandans have shifted from passive consumers to active creators, building homegrown solutions, from mobile financial platforms to youth-led digital tools tailored to local needs. As technology evolves rapidly, @UCC_Official is actively modernising regulatory frameworks, reviewing the UCC Act 2013, and preparing infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence (AI). This includes supporting local language models so that technology speaks directly to every Ugandan in their mother tongue. At the same time, we are firmly upholding broadcast standards, protecting children online, and safeguarding Ugandans against cyber threats and misinformation. As we celebrate our motherland’s Independence, let us embrace digital innovation as a core pillar of socio-economic transformation. For God and my Country.

This morning, I had an engaging discussion with Bukedde TV’s Mr Siraje Kizito on the programme Ekyenkya, reflecting on our 25-year journey as @UCC_Official and outlining our strategic priorities for Uganda’s digital future. We covered several critical issues shaping our communications sector, and one question that I will not run away from is the regulation of public hotspots/Wi-Fi. As internet access expands, reselling internet services through public hotspots/Wi-Fi networks requires formal authorisation and licensing under the law. To safeguard service quality and prevent harmful frequency interference, all hotspot equipment must be UCC-type approved. Unregulated public Wi-Fi setups often lack critical Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols and data privacy safeguards, posing security risks. I serve the consumers and have heard their call; arrests of illegal hotspot/Wi-Fi operations are ongoing, and we will release a formal public statement after consulting with stakeholders. The commission is focusing on public education and supporting operators in becoming compliant. As part of our mandate, we continue to manage national spectrum and numbering resources to eliminate network interference and curb misuse. I reassure the public that telecom masts adhere to international electromagnetic safety standards and do not cause health harm. Our ongoing deployment of 5G infrastructure and satellite technology is paving the way for seamless rural connectivity, and 6G will arrive soon. Many people have asked why @UCC_Official is seen in the creative industry. It’s within our mandate to empower content creators and online broadcasters. We also provide guidelines and authorisation to help local talent elevate their content to professional standards while fostering a safe online environment. Victims of cyber harassment are encouraged to report to law enforcement, where @UCC_Official provides technical investigative support. To ensure no one is left behind, we continue equipping public schools with ICT infrastructure and conducting regional Consumer Parliaments to protect consumer rights and encourage local digital content.