By Joseph Mary Buwule
Uganda’s telecommunications industry leaders, regulators, government officials and consumers have converged for the 2nd Telecommunications CEO-Consumer Forum (#TCForum26), hosted by the Uganda Communications Commission under the theme: “Partnerships Powering Progress: From Coverage Expansion and Meaningful Access to Digital Government Excellence.”
The high-level forum is bringing together telecom chief executives, consumer advocacy groups, media representatives and ordinary subscribers in a rare open dialogue aimed at addressing some of the country’s most pressing communication challenges, including poor network coverage, affordability, service quality and digital inclusion.
At the centre of the discussions are real consumer experiences from communities still grappling with weak or unreliable network signals, limited internet access and connectivity gaps, especially in rural parts of the country. Consumers attending the forum shared frustrations over dropped calls, slow internet speeds and areas that remain underserved despite Uganda’s growing digital economy.
Telecom operators, on the other hand, outlined ongoing and future investments aimed at improving connectivity across the country through the construction of new telecom towers, fibre optic expansion and increased infrastructure sharing.
Speaking during the ongoing forum, George William Nyombi Thembo said the event was created to provide direct engagement between telecom decision-makers and the consumers they serve.
He explained that the forum seeks concrete commitments from telecom operators and stakeholders on key issues affecting Ugandans, including service quality, affordability, inclusivity, privacy, safety and innovation.
Nyombi described the forum as a catalyst for positive change within Uganda’s ICT ecosystem and called upon all participants to actively contribute towards building a more connected and digitally inclusive nation.
Reflecting on the growth of the sector since the inaugural edition of the forum in 2025, he noted that reconvening this year demonstrates the industry’s shared commitment to sustained engagement and improved service delivery.
According to Nyombi, the Uganda Communications Commission carries a dual mandate of promoting growth in the telecommunications sector while also protecting consumers, describing the two objectives as “mutually reinforcing.”
He highlighted the remarkable transformation of Uganda’s telecom sector over the last two decades, revealing that active telephone lines have grown from just 30,449 to more than 47.1 million mobile subscriptions today.
The UCC Executive Director urged telecom companies to continue investing heavily in infrastructure development to meet the rising demand for reliable, affordable and high-quality communication services.
The forum is also focusing on strategic partnerships that can drive Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda under the #ConnectedUg2030 vision and the country’s ambitions for digital government excellence.
Among the key industry players participating is MTN Uganda, whose leadership team is led by Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Mulinge.
Mulinge said the telecommunications sector remains central to Uganda’s economic transformation agenda, particularly by supporting sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, trade and financial services.
She noted that telecom companies are increasingly working towards expanding meaningful connectivity and creating opportunities that empower individuals, businesses and communities across the country.
“Our shared mission is to connect more people and create opportunities that empower individuals, businesses and communities to thrive,” she said while engaging consumers, regulators and fellow industry leaders during the forum discussions.
Other telecom industry stakeholders, including representatives from Airtel Uganda, Uganda Telecom and mobile money service providers, also shared perspectives on how collaboration, innovation and infrastructure investment can further strengthen Uganda’s telecommunications sector.
Guided by this year’s theme, participants emphasized that partnerships between government, regulators, telecom operators and consumers will be critical in expanding network reach, improving meaningful digital access and accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation journey.
The Telecommunications CEO-Consumer Forum, first launched in March 2025 at Mestil Hotel, has increasingly become an important platform for promoting transparency, accountability and responsiveness within Uganda’s communications industry.
Stakeholders at the forum noted that last year’s inaugural edition opened up much-needed conversations between telecom operators and consumers, laying the foundation for collaborative solutions aimed at improving customer experience and strengthening the country’s digital future.
As discussions continue at #TCForum26, participants remain optimistic that the dialogue will translate into practical commitments capable of delivering better service quality, wider network coverage, affordable communication services and greater digital inclusion for all Ugandans.