Uganda Communications Commission: Pushing Digital Access in Uganda

• The Uganda Communications Commission has called for stronger legislative support to expand digital infrastructure and improve access to broadcasting services.
• National DTT signal coverage has reached approximately 86 percent through 18 transmission sites supported by the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
• The UCC is shifting its focus from expanding signal coverage to ensuring meaningful access, including affordability, device availability, and digital literacy.
• The commission launched a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) Pilot Project in Greater Kampala as part of efforts to modernize the country's broadcasting sector, which has since concluded.

With national census data showing television household ownership at 23.1 percent, our priority is shifting from signal coverage to meaningful access, ensuring affordability, device availability and digital literacy.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has been working to modernize the country's broadcasting sector, which has undergone a significant transformation from traditional analogue systems to a converged digital environment. This shift has expanded technological possibilities but also created new challenges that require updated laws and policies. The UCC is now focusing on ensuring meaningful access to broadcasting services, rather than just expanding signal coverage. With national census data showing television household ownership at 23.1 percent, the commission recognizes that many Ugandans still lack access to television sets and affordable digital services.

The expansion of digital infrastructure in Uganda has brought about new opportunities for the country's creative industry. However, it also poses challenges that need to be addressed through a modern regulatory framework. The UCC launched a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) Pilot Project in Greater Kampala as part of efforts to modernize the broadcasting sector, which has since concluded. This initiative aimed to promote local content production and enable Ugandan producers to create content capable of reaching international audiences.

The UCC is calling for stronger legislative support to strengthen the regulatory framework governing the sector. This framework should be able to respond to rapid changes in the communications industry, including digital convergence, content standards, child online safety, piracy, and the financial sustainability of media platforms. The commission is ready to work with Parliament to provide legislative support to expand infrastructure, fund local content, and ensure universal, meaningful digital access for every Ugandan.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential impact of strengthened regulatory frameworks on the Ugandan creative industry, particularly in relation to local content production and digital convergence.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post