Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director Nyombi Thembo met with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to discuss the security of the country’s national communications infrastructure. The meeting, held at the SFC headquarters in Entebbe, focused on UCC’s operational strategies to ensure a secure communications environment for all Ugandans.
The discussions covered telecommunications, data communications, broadcasting, and critical infrastructure security, amid rising threats from cybercrime and telecom vandalism. Uganda’s telecom sector has experienced rapid growth, with over 35 million mobile subscribers, 24 million internet users, and 38 million active mobile money accounts.
However, this growth has been accompanied by significant challenges, including 286,000 cybercrime incidents in 2024, resulting in losses exceeding UGX 19 billion ($5 million). Telecom vandalism has also spiked, with over 1,300 incidents reported last year, causing service disruptions and repair costs.
Nyombi emphasized the importance of safeguarding the country’s communications infrastructure, stating that it is now a matter of national security. Gen Kainerugaba welcomed UCC’s briefing and pledged the military’s support in efforts to deter infrastructure sabotage and respond to emerging digital threats.
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