Uganda Communications Commission

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is the government regulatory body of the communications sector in Uganda. Although owned by the Ugandan government, it acts independently. Its mandated responsibilities include licensing, regulation, communications infrastructure development and the expansion of rural communications service.[1]

For other uses of "UCC", see UCC (disambiguation).
Uganda Communications Commission
UCC
Agency overview
Formed1997
JurisdictionUganda
HeadquartersUCC House
42-44 Spring Road
Bugoloobi, Kampala
Agency executives
Parent agencyParastatal
WebsiteHomepage

Location

The headquarters of the UCC are located at 42-44 Spring Road, in Bugoloobi, a neighborhood in Nakawa Division, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country. Other regional offices are located in Gulu, Mbale, Masindi and Mbarara.[2]

History

UCC was created by the Communications Act enacted in 1997, by the Ugandan Parliament. That instrument, split the then Ugandan parastatal, Uganda Posts and Telecommunications Company Limited (UPTCL), into four entities:

  • Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) – The communications industry regulator
  • Uganda Post Limited – Also known as Posta Uganda
  • PostBank Uganda – A government-owned financial institution
  • Uganda Telecom – An information technology and communication network company.

In January 2021, Uganda Communications Commission ordered the shutdown of the Internet in Uganda, amid elections.[3]

Organization and operations

The organizational structure of the Commission, is laid out in detail at the Communications Commission's web site.[4]

The Communications Commission runs a film festival to promote the country's film industry.[5]

Rural Communications

The Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), was founded in 2003 and is responsible for the development of communications infrastructure outside of Uganda's urban centers. The RCDF has set standards for its work in the 112 districts of the country. RCDF's scope of work includes: (a) creation of internet points of presence (b) internet training centers (c) creation of internet cafes at every district headquarters (d) creation of web portals for every district (e) maintenance of pay telephones at the ratio of at least one for every 2500 people (f) development of postal projects, Multi-purpose Community Telecentres (MCTs), internet development for schools & health care facilities and (g) development of call centres.[6]

Governance

The chairman of the seven-member communications board is Eng Dr Dorothy Okello. Other board members include; Evelyn Piloya, Jane Kabbale, Rajab Wardah Gyagenda, William Byaruhanga, Norah Muliira and Charles Lwanga Auk.[7] The Executive Director is Irene Sewankambo.

Initiatives
  • Uganda Film Festival - A five day annual event aimed at promoting and developing the Ugandan film industry. The festival started in 2013. Workshops, trainings, screenings and outreach projects and the Uganda Film Festival Awards are part of the festival.[8]

See also

References
  1. European, Times (2 October 2012). "World-Class Communications Sector With Investment Appeal". European-Times.com. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  2. UCC, . "Location And Contacts of Uganda Communication Commission". Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). Retrieved 2 July 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. Rijo, Daniel. "Uganda's government orders internet providers to cut off the Internet". newsletter.ppc.land. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  4. UCC, . "The Organisational Structructure of Uganda Communications Commission". Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). Retrieved 2 July 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. "Uganda Film Festival – Background and Objectives".
  6. Genrwot, Jeddy (29 May 2014). "MTN Uganda Contributes UGX16 Billion to the UCC Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF)". PCTechMag.com (PC Tech Magazine). Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  7. Betty Amamukirori, and Michael Odeng (2 October 2014). "Government To Reduce Internet Costs". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  8. "UCC promises more for the film industry". Sqoop. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
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