Government Declares Telecom Infrastructure Vandalism Economic Sabotage

What the report says

Uganda’s government has said vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure will be treated as economic sabotage, warning that attacks on towers and related equipment are slowing the country’s digital transformation and affecting essential services. The remarks were made by Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance Joyce Ssebugwawo, according to Nile Post, at an event involving telecom infrastructure company ATC Uganda and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

At the ceremony, ATC Uganda handed over Shs20.9 billion to the UCC’s Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF). The fund supports projects that extend communication services to underserved and hard-to-reach areas. Ssebugwawo said telecom assets now function as critical national infrastructure, supporting emergency response, healthcare, education, commerce and other public needs. She also praised the UCC, security agencies and the judiciary for efforts to curb vandalism.

The minister linked the issue to broader government goals of expanding digital inclusion beyond urban and commercially attractive areas. She said connectivity alone is not enough if people cannot afford devices, internet access or the skills to use digital services. She also pointed to related concerns such as cybersecurity, child online protection, consumer rights and misinformation. The event highlighted the role of private-sector contributions in supporting Uganda’s wider effort to bridge the digital divide and widen access to communications services.