The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has announced plans to amend the UCC Act in a bid to impose stricter penalties on individuals who misuse the internet and vandalize telecommunications infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch of a new campaign dubbed “Tokigeza”, UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo emphasised the gravity of cable theft and internet misuse, calling for harsher sentences including lifetime imprisonment for offenders.
We are losing billions to these vandals. Their actions disrupt communication in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and finance. These are crimes that deserve the harshest penalties,” Nyombi stated.
The “Tokigeza” campaign aims to raise public awareness and strengthen efforts to protect infrastructure such as underground and overhead cables, masts, and other network components.
The launch event was attended by representatives from major telecom companies including Airtel, MTN, and American Tower Corporation (ATC), along with officials from security agencies.
ATC CEO Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda revealed that the country records approximately 20 incidents of cable theft every month, which severely impacts service delivery in schools, hospitals, banks, and homes.
UCC hopes that the campaign and forthcoming legislative amendments will serve as a deterrent to vandals and ensure more secure and reliable communication services across Uganda.