By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Executive Director Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Hon. Nyombi Thembo has given illegal resellers of public Wi-Fi services across the country, seven days to comply with the authority’s regulations, ahead of a planned enforcement exercise to dismantle them.
He issued the 7-day ultimatum on October 13, 2026, while addressing reporters in Kampala on the growing challenge of illegal public Wi-Fi hotspot operators across the country, which has left the country at a great loss of taxes.
“While expanding digital inclusion and keeping internet access affordable remain fundamental goals, all telecom services must operate strictly within the legal bounds set by the Uganda Communications Act, 2013” he said.
He revealed that at moment over 4,000 unlicensed operators are illegally reselling commercial and residential broadband, a practice which not only undermines legitimate providers but also costs the nation approximately Shs148 Billion in lost annual tax revenue.
Nyombi noted that the exercise followed consultations with stakeholders including MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and members of the Wi-Fi Hotspot Association, on the regulatory challenges associated with the resale of public internet services.
“Beyond the financial impact, these unauthorised networks pose serious cybersecurity, data privacy, and consumer protection risks to everyday users, while mounting unapproved equipment on public utility poles creates physical safety hazards,” he said.
He further said that in order to resolve these challenges fairly, the commission has given all unauthorised Wi-Fi hotspot operators a 7-day ultimatum to halt their services and remove any illegal apparatus before the nationwide enforcement campaign begins.
Nyombi announced that the commission will also host guidance sessions starting this Friday on October 16, 2026, to help willing operators transition to legal operations in line with the licensing frameworks.
