Page 15 - SAMENA Trends - September 2023

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES BEYOND SA-ME-NA REGION SAMENA TRENDS

Coverage and transitioning 85% of communication landscape has been
Government Services online, the ministry evident. The transition from a UGX UCC’s Key Market Enablement Initiatives
envisions a digitally equipped Uganda. 18,000 service charge in 2014 to waiving UCC, established to implement
There's also an emphasis on empowering off these charges by 2023 reflects the the provisions of the Uganda
70% of Ugandans with digital skills and nation's focus on affordability among the Communications Act 2013, has made
promoting local ICT innovations. consumers. several strides in ensuring Uganda
remains digitally competitive. This is in
Uganda's strategic thrust toward digital Infrastructure has seen significant the context of the following policy and
transformation is further amplified by growth, with communication towers strategic objectives:
its focus on financial inclusion. UCC’s increasing from 3,208 in 2013 to 4,907 by • A Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
regulatory collaboration with the Bank 2023. The ICT sector's contribution to the strategy for the adoption of 4IR
of Uganda has fostered the growth of national GDP has also grown, reflecting technologies in Uganda
mobile money services, as evident from its vital role in the economy. • The digital transformation roadmap
the swell in mobile money accounts from launched in August 2023 with five
36.8 million to 37.3 million in just three Empowering Local Audio-Visual Content pillars
months. The UCC has also been pivotal in • Achievement of backhaul/
promoting local audio-visual industry. transmission optical fiber to all 4
The economic impact of these digital Through various programs, they have borders of the country
initiatives has been dramatic. The supported and promoted local talent, • Launch of CubeSat PearlAfricaSat-1 in
telecom sector alone reported quarterly ensuring Ugandan narratives find their 2022 for research and observation
revenues of UGX 1.34 trillion, with an rightful space in mainstream media. • Commercial launch of 5G technology
additional UGX 58.4 billion compared to Mandating a specific quota of local in August 2023
the previous year. These financial inflows, content on TV and radio ensures that
buoyed by tax contributions such as local local productions get the international UCC’s key contributions over the last
excise duty and value-added tax, have visibility they deserve. three years include:
• Introduction of regulatory tools to
The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance has orchestrated ensure a conducive investment
environment
an ambitious Digital Transformation Targets roadmap • Development of an audio-visual
for 2030. This blueprint aims to transform Uganda into a content strategy 2020-2025
digital society that thrives on innovation, productivity, and • Establishment of a Digital Financial
Services Lab
competitiveness. By focusing on achieving 90% Broadband • Initiation of a one-year DAB+ radio pilot
in September 2023
Coverage and transitioning 85% of Government Services • Development of a national ecommerce
online, the ministry envisions a digitally equipped Uganda. platform in collaboration with industry
and academia
bolstered government revenues. These Ensuring Universal Access
funds, in turn, are reinvested in various The UCC's establishment of the Key Contributions of UCC with Direct
sectors, propelling advancements in Universal Service and Access Fund Impact on the Citizens of Uganda
infrastructure, education, healthcare, and (USAF) emphasizes their commitment to The UCC has also profoundly impacted
other crucial services, thereby enhancing expanding communication access to all Ugandans by:
the quality of life for Ugandans. persons. This fund focuses on providing • Reducing retail prices
communication services to underserved • Issuing guidelines to enable television
25 Years of Communication Evolution regions, ensuring telecom and internet access for persons with disabilities
UCC has maintained a proactive and services reach every corner of Uganda, • Providing smart tablets with
comprehensive regulatory approach, applicable to every Ugandan. complementary data subscriptions to
monitoring broadcast content to ensure low-income households
it aligns with established ethical and UCC’s Contributions to Uganda’s Digital • Offering digital capacity-building for
quality guidelines. The regulator’s push Development the public, farmers, SMEs, women,
for digital transition promises enhanced The Uganda Communications youth, and the elderly
broadcasting experiences, while the focus Commission (UCC) stands at the forefront • Establishing computer labs in over
on promoting and protecting consumer of the digital revolution underway in the 1300 government-aided schools
interests ensures the public has access country. • Creating public internet access
to quality content. facilities in multiple public and
Over the past two and a half decades, community libraries
Over the past quarter-century, the the UCC has actively encouraged
UCC's role in shaping the nation's healthy competition among telecom

15 SEPTEMBER 2023