UCC Reviews Crackdown on Unauthorised Wi-Fi Operators After Complaints

What the report says

The Uganda Communications Commission is reviewing how it enforces rules against unauthorised hotspot and Wi‑Fi operators after receiving complaints from affected businesses, according to Nile Post. UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the regulator had received letters and concerns that needed further examination, and that a public notice would be issued before the end of the week.

The review followed a meeting chaired by Thembo with Wi‑Fi operators and senior UCC management to discuss the complaints and assess the next steps. The article says the tension stems from UCC’s move against people allegedly reselling internet access through shared Wi‑Fi networks and hotspots without approval. It also notes that the commission had at one point considered broader registration requirements for some Wi‑Fi users, including private-home connections, which raised questions about the reach of the proposed rules.

Thembo said regulation should protect the public interest while allowing the sector to grow, and argued that operators who avoid formal frameworks can hurt the wider industry. He also said UCC wants to safeguard public safety, infrastructure development and national revenue. The commission did not disclose how many operators were affected or what specific complaints it received. The expected notice may clarify whether enforcement will change, but the report does not say UCC has yet suspended or revised any action.