The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), 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.
The UCC Executive Director Hon Nyombi Thembo, made the announcement of Tuesday while addressing journalists about 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 added, “Currently, over 4,000 unlicensed operators are illegally reselling commercial and residential broadband. This practice not only undermines legitimate providers but also costs the nation approximately UGX 148 Bn in lost annual tax revenue”.
Nyombi revealed 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 added, “To resolve these challenges fairly, we are giving all unauthorised Wi-Fi hotspot operators a 7-day ultimatum to halt their services and remove any illegal apparatus before our nationwide enforcement campaign begins”.
Nyombi noted that the commission will also host guidance sessions starting this Friday, 16th October 2026, to help willing operators transition to legal operations in line with the licensing frameworks.
