{"id":9968,"date":"2021-09-03T08:08:08","date_gmt":"2021-09-03T05:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/?p=9968"},"modified":"2021-09-03T08:40:53","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T05:40:53","slug":"new-ucc-board-commissioned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/new-ucc-board-commissioned\/","title":{"rendered":"A new UCC board has been commissioned by the Minister of ICT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi presided over the commissioning of the new UCC<\/a> board on 1st September 2021 early this week. The swearing-in ceremony and inauguration took place at the ministry headquarters on Wednesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also read: NetQ-UG by UCC helps you monitor data bundle usage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Uganda Communications Commission<\/a> board is a mixture of re-appointed members such as Dr Dorothy Kabagaju Okello (Chairperson), Dr Jimmy Pat Saamanya and Enoch Barata, and new faces such as Ms Lucy Ntabazi, Mr Edson Ngirabakunzi, Eng. Paul Odoi and Eng. Geoffrey Agoi. Ag. Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo is a member by virtue of her position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minister of ICT pledged to offer support in regards to the board’s oversight role. He said, “We as the ministry shall give you all the support you need so that you can do your work of providing oversight over UCC,\u201d the minister said during the board members\u2019 swearing-in ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New UCC Board urged to work on communications regulation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recalling his first visit to UCC in his new position last week, the Minister said his team was \u201cimpressed by what we saw\u201d, citing the arrangements and technologies put in place to facilitate regulation of the communications sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we came back, we resolved to give you maximum support so that you can be able to do your work,\u201d he said, outlining some of the 26 functions the Commission is assigned in Section 5 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He however emphasized the need for the new UCC board to work on the communication and media space citing more regulation needed. More regulation will be required to especially tackle abuse and the spread of fake news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read also: How the rise of global social movements is shaping social media usage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Okello, also Dean of the School of Engineering at Makerere University, said UCC has a great mission to drive the development of a modern communications sector, adding that she is honoured to be part of that agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to commit on behalf of the board that we will continue on the EPIC<\/em> journey,\u201d she said, in reference to the Commission\u2019s corporate values \u2013 \u201cExcellence, Professionalism, Integrity and Commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are doing this assignment on delegation from the ministry,\u201d the chairperson noted, calling on the ministry\u2019s leadership to support the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under Section 9 of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, the Commission\u2019s Board must include a person with experience and knowledge in telecommunications, broadcasting or postal communications, who shall also be the chairperson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board must also include; <\/p>\n\n\n\n