The Uganda Communication Commission Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo has underscored the role played by postal and courier services in driving Uganda’s e-commerce sector.
“With the explosion of online trade, licensed postal and courier services have become the invisible infrastructure supporting small businesses, rural entrepreneurs, and urban marketplaces alike. They enable a tailor in Kabale to ship to a customer in Kitgum and allow a student in Mbale to receive a scholarship letter from Kampala. This sector quietly builds bridges where roads sometimes fall short,” Thembo said.
He was on Thursday speaking during the opening ceremony of the inaugural postal and courier baraza organised by UCC at KCCA Railway Grounds in Kampala.
Thembo described postal and courier service providers as the country’s unsung heroes.
“When you send a letter, a parcel, or even a simple birthday gift, you’re not just moving an object—you’re telling a story. A story of trust, of connection, and of care. These are unsung storytellers of our society—the men and women who keep our packages moving, our dreams connected, and our economy humming,” he said.
The inaugural baraza was organised under the theme ,"Safe Hands, Secure Delivery – Use Licensed Operators.”
Speaking to this theme, the UCC Executive Director said regulatory compliance by postal and courier service providers is foundation, noting that there is a high rise of unlicenced operators.
“ These entities disrupt fair competition and pose risks to lives, property, and trust. Every unlicensed courier is a potential weak link in our nation’s communications chain, and let me be clear: if you’re not licensed, you’re not legal.”
He said licensed operators aren’t just legal—they are lifelines.
“They offer tracking, accountability, customer support, and peace of mind. They ensure your mother’s medicine is on time and your business contract is delivered safely and securely.”
He called upon Ugandans to prioritise use of licenced operators.