UGANDA ELECTED TO AFRICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION GOVERNING COUNCIL

PML DAILY

Uganda has secured a seat on the  African Telecommunications Union Administrative Council, positioning the country among the governing group that will guide  Africa’s digital policy over the next four years.

The election was a primary outcome of the African Telecommunications Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries, known as CPL-26, held in Abuja. Delegates at the conference also elected Kezias Kazuba Mwale of Zambia as the new secretary-general. Mwale succeeds John Omo of Kenya, who served in the leadership role for eight years.

The outcome places Uganda within continental decision-making structures focused on digital connectivity, telecommunications policy, cybersecurity, spectrum management, innovation, and emerging technologies. Officials said the vote reflects Uganda’s growing involvement in regional technology policy and its commitment to shared continental goals.

Serving as the governing authority between plenipotentiary conferences, the administrative council oversees strategic priorities, policy direction, financial management, and the coordination of unified African positions ahead of international telecommunications meetings.

Council decisions are expected to affect how member states expand internet access, secure digital infrastructure, manage artificial intelligence development, strengthen cybersecurity, and broaden digital inclusion across various economic sectors.

Africa remains the world’s least connected region despite having a young and rapidly growing population. Millions of people lack affordable and reliable internet access because of infrastructure deficits, high costs, limited digital skills, and uneven investment. Conference participants agreed that addressing these issues requires regional cooperation and aligned policies rather than isolated national programs.

As the specialized telecommunications agency of the African Union, the organization aligns member states on spectrum allocation, infrastructure, cybersecurity standards, digital services, artificial intelligence, and data governance prior to global negotiations.

Previous unified proposals from the group have been adopted at international conferences, increasing the continent’s influence on global policy.

Throughout the conference, the Ugandan delegation participated in debates on governance, financial sustainability, and organizational strategy. During deliberations on the 2027–2031 strategic and financial plan, Uganda supported the adoption of the union’s risk management framework and requested that future progress reports detail the implementation of risk mitigation measures.

The Abuja conference focused heavily on expanding connectivity across Africa. Delegates concluded that increasing mobile coverage alone is insufficient, advocating instead for technology-neutral policies that allow fiber networks, mobile broadband, satellite systems, and community networks to operate together.

Discussions also emphasized the need for investment in digital skills, stronger cybersecurity, regulatory updates, and expanded partnerships among governments, regulators, private industry, and development organizations.

Although the elections occurred in Abuja, the resulting policy directions will influence how member states handle spectrum management, broadband expansion, cybersecurity, and digital service delivery.

For Uganda, council membership provides a direct role in shaping regional decisions that affect infrastructure investment, cross-border cooperation, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, while aligning regional policies with national priorities.