Trader’s body backs thousands of Wi-Fi hotspot resellers

What the report says

The Kampala Capital City Traders Association (KACITA) has asked Uganda’s Parliament to intervene in a crackdown on public Wi-Fi hotspot resellers, arguing that the sector needs affordable and workable licensing rules to protect jobs and support internet access. According to Watchdog Uganda, the appeal was made during a meeting with the parliamentary Committee on Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance, attended by officials from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and other stakeholders.

KACITA said recent enforcement actions by the UCC, including arrests and confiscation of equipment, have disrupted an industry it says employs about 40,000 operators. The association also raised concerns about networking equipment impounded by the Uganda Revenue Authority, saying suppliers and resellers are being caught up in the broader enforcement effort. Its representatives argued that the trade should be formalised rather than treated as illegal, with rules that reflect the role of low-cost internet access in the digital economy.

The group urged lawmakers to keep any licence fee manageable and pointed to Kenya as a regional example of more affordable regulation. During the same session, government representatives said the concerns would be reviewed, and a ministry official outlined possible licensing categories and fees for national and regional suppliers. The minister asked for more time to consult further and called for a pause in arrests and confiscations while talks continue.

MPs on the committee said they support regulation but want clearer compliance requirements that businesses can realistically meet. The issue matters because it sits at the intersection of digital access, small business livelihoods and government efforts to regulate internet infrastructure and revenue collection.