Uganda today opens the 11th Plenipotentiary Conference of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU), bringing together ministers, postal leaders, regulators and development partners from across the continent to chart the future of Africa’s postal sector in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The conference, taking place at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa in Kigo from 16 to 28 March 2026, convenes every four years and serves as the supreme policy-making forum of the Pan African Postal Union, a specialized agency of the African Union responsible for coordinating and advancing postal development across the continent.
It brings together ministers responsible for postal services from across Africa to review progress, adopt policies and strategic programmes, and elect the Union’s leadership. Delegations from 45 PAPU Member States are expected to attend the gathering of approximately 300 delegates.
The event is being hosted by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Uganda Post Limited (Posta Uganda). UCC regulates the postal communications sector in Uganda, while Uganda Post Limited serves as the country’s designated national postal operator.
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, is scheduled to officiate as Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of the Plenipotentiary Conference on 25th March 2026, alongside the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, and other senior government leaders. The event will also feature a keynote address by Mr. Marjan Osvald, Deputy Director General of the Universal Postal Union, the global UN agency responsible for coordinating postal services.
The Pan African Postal Union was established in 1980, following a decision by the then Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union, to create a continental body to harmonize postal development and cooperation. Headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, the Union has grown from 35 founding members to 45 African states today.
The Post in the Digital Age
This year’s conference is being held under the theme: “Leveraging Digital Technology and Innovation to Create a Smart Postal Sector in Africa: Unlocking Opportunities to Strengthen the African Postal Sector for Boosting Regional Integration.”
The theme reflects the changing role of postal services in the digital age. Traditionally associated with mail delivery, the postal network is increasingly becoming a platform that connects people through the exchange of information, goods and financial services. Across Africa, postal networks remain among the most extensive public service infrastructure, often reaching remote rural communities where few other institutions are present. In many countries, post offices now provide a wide range of services, including logistics and parcel delivery, financial transactions, remittances, e-commerce last mile delivery and access to government services through digital platforms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, postal operators played a critical role in delivering essential items such as medicines, personal protective equipment and relief supplies during lockdowns. The postal network is also viewed as a strategic enabler of regional trade and economic integration, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Over the next two weeks, delegates will deliberate on a range of policy and operational issues shaping the future of the sector, including digital transformation of postal services, strengthening the role of postal networks in cross-border e-commerce, and harmonising postal legislation across African countries to improve service delivery.
The conference will also consider strategies to mobilize investment and create new revenue streams for postal operators as they adapt to declining traditional mail volumes and growing demand for logistics and digital services.
Another major focus will be the development of a Pan-African Postal Digital Framework, aimed at enabling interoperable digital systems that support secure communications, e-government services and faster parcel delivery across borders. These discussions are expected to culminate in a roadmap for implementing the PAPU Africa Strategy 2026–2030, which will guide the development of the sector over the next four years.
Uganda’s Strategic Role
Uganda has been a member of PAPU since 1980 and has played an active role in the Union’s governance and technical initiatives over the years. Through participation in various committees and programmes, the country has contributed to policy development and regulatory reforms of the postal sector in Uganda and across Africa.
For Uganda, hosting this conference presents a strategic opportunity to reinforce its leadership profile within Africa’s postal and communications ecosystem while positioning itself as a regional hub for postal, courier, e-commerce and digital trade services.
The country is also seeking re-election to the position of Assistant Secretary General of PAPU for the 2026–2030 cycle, with Uganda’s candidate being the incumbent Mrs Jessica Hope Ssengooba, who was first elected during the previous Plenipotentiary Conference held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in 2021.
The implementation of PAPU’s programmes is undertaken by the General Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General and supported by the Assistant Secretary General. Both positions are elected by the Plenipotentiary Conference every four years and can serve a maximum of two terms.
The current Secretary General, a Zimbabwean national, and the Assistant Secretary General, Mrs Jessica Hope Ssengooba of Uganda, are both concluding their first terms in April 2026 and are eligible for re-election.
Prior to joining PAPU, Mrs Ssengooba served in several roles at Uganda Post Limited, including Manager for Corporate and International Relations. During her tenure, PAPU has advanced several initiatives aimed at modernising the African postal sector, including a continent-wide programme to promote the digitalisation of postal services, endorsed by African Union Heads of State in 2024. Under this initiative, PAPU has been spearheading projects to strengthen digital transformation, innovation and e-commerce across African postal networks.
The conference programme spans two weeks and includes technical, administrative and policy discussions at several levels. The opening week, from 16 to 20 March, will feature meetings of technical committees covering operations, technology, policy and regulatory matters. These will be followed by the 44th Ordinary Session of the PAPU Administrative Council on 23–24 March, before the main Plenipotentiary Conference convenes from 25–27 March. A high-level ministerial roundtable will also take place during the plenary sessions, providing ministers with an opportunity to deliberate on strategic priorities for the sector.
A Sector in Transformation
While postal services globally have experienced declining letter volumes due to digital communication, the sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by e-commerce, logistics and financial services.
For Africa, strengthening postal networks is considered critical for promoting inclusive development, particularly in rural and underserved communities. By connecting people, markets and governments, the post continues to serve as vital network for communication, trade and service delivery.
As African countries advance their digital transformation and regional integration agendas, policymakers increasingly view the postal sector as a technology-enabled platform capable of supporting modern economic activity. The deliberations taking place in Kampala over the coming days are therefore expected to shape not only the future of postal services but also the broader role they continue to play in Africa’s development agenda.
For Uganda, the conference represents both a moment of continental engagement and an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to building a modern, connected and inclusive communications ecosystem.
