Uganda Communications Commission


The Uganda Communications Commission 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.

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.

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, into four entities:
The organizational structure of the Commission, is laid out in detail at the Communications Commission's web site.
The Communications Commission runs a film festival to promote the country's film industry.

Rural Communications

The Rural Communications Development Fund, 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: creation of internet points of presence internet training centers creation of internet cafes at every district headquarters creation of web portals for every district maintenance of pay telephones at the ratio of at least one for every 2500 people development of postal projects, Multi-purpose Community Telecentres, internet development for schools & health care facilities and development of call centres.

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. The Executive Director is Irene Sewankambo.

Initiatives