Nyombi Thembo Moves to Address Wi-Fi Operators’ Concerns as UCC Reviews Crackdown

By Our Reporter

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has opened discussions with Wi-Fi and hotspot operators following complaints over enforcement actions targeting businesses providing internet services without the required authorisation. UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo says the Commission is reviewing the concerns and will issue a public notice before the end of this week to clarify its position.
Thembo disclosed that he met the operators on the morning of October 12, 2026, alongside UCC’s top management. The meeting focused on the challenges facing hotspot businesses and the concerns raised by operators following the Commission’s efforts to enforce regulations governing internet service provision.

The engagement came after UCC received several letters and complaints from operators questioning aspects of the enforcement measures. Thembo said the Commission had decided to examine the issues raised, noting that regulatory decisions must be guided by fairness, professionalism and an objective assessment of the available information.

However, the UCC chief stressed that businesses providing internet services must respect the laws and regulations governing the communications industry. He explained that while the Commission recognises the role played by private operators in expanding connectivity, their activities must not undermine the broader interests of the sector and the public.
To illustrate his argument, Thembo cited the tragedy of the commons, a concept describing how individuals acting in their own interests can eventually damage resources shared by everyone. He compared the situation to overgrazing, where uncontrolled use of pasture can destroy the land and leave insufficient grass to sustain livestock.

He said the same principle could apply to the communications sector if businesses operated outside established regulatory frameworks. According to Thembo, regulation helps safeguard infrastructure investment, public safety and national revenue, which supports the provision of essential public services. He did not, however, identify the specific regulatory requirements at the centre of the operators’ complaints.

Thembo welcomed the operators’ participation in the meeting, describing the discussions as constructive and saying their submissions would help guide the Commission’s next steps. He added that UCC would continue engaging stakeholders to address their concerns while maintaining the standards required for lawful and sustainable internet service provision.
The promised public notice is expected before the end of this week and could provide further guidance to operators seeking clarity on their compliance obligations. The outcome will be important to hotspot businesses and internet users who depend on Wi-Fi networks for connectivity, as the Commission seeks to balance the expansion of digital services with enforcement of Uganda’s communications regulations.