The Board of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has completed a one-week field tour across Eastern Uganda to assess digital inclusion projects funded under the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
The oversight visit, conducted in February and led by UCC Board Chairperson Charity Basaza Mulenga, aimed to evaluate the functionality, utilisation, sustainability, and overall impact of projects designed to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities.
The delegation included UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo and other commission officials. Together, they inspected several initiatives focusing on expanding ICT infrastructure, improving connectivity, building digital skills, and supporting inclusive access to technology.
Promoting Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities
One of the key stops was the Regional ICT Resource Centre for persons with disabilities in Jinja, implemented in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
During the visit, the Board interacted with beneficiaries and reviewed assistive technologies installed at the centre. These include braille embossers, screen readers, and magnification devices that help persons with visual and other impairments access digital services.
Officials said such technologies are critical in ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind as Uganda advances its digital transformation agenda.
Expanding Community Broadband Access
The Board also inspected a Public Access Centre located at the Jinja Public Library. The facility is part of a national network of more than 120 centres established to provide affordable access to broadband internet in communities.
Public Access Centres enable youth, entrepreneurs, and job seekers to access digital services, learn computer skills, and connect to e-government platforms. The model is increasingly seen as an effective way to bring digital opportunities closer to underserved populations.
Strengthening ICT in Schools
The UCC delegation also visited several schools benefiting from the ICT-in-Education programme supported by UCUSAF.
These included St. Gonzaga Secondary School Kagoma, the solar-powered ICT laboratory at Bubiita Seed Secondary School in Bududa District, and Mbale School for the Deaf.
Officials said the programme focuses on expanding connectivity, equipping institutions with digital learning infrastructure, and ensuring sustainability in remote and special-needs schools.
Building Digital Capacity in Public Service
At Jinja Civil Service College, the Board inspected an ICT laboratory established to strengthen digital skills within the public service.
Discussions at the facility emphasized the importance of institutional ownership and proper utilisation of ICT infrastructure to ensure that such investments deliver long-term benefits.
Broader Oversight Engagements
The week-long tour also included visits to the Jinja Remote Spectrum Monitoring Site, the UCC Mbale Regional Office, and other facilities supported or supervised by the Commission.
According to UCC officials, the field engagements provided the Board with first-hand insights into the effectiveness of UCUSAF-funded projects. The findings are expected to guide future programmes, regulatory interventions, and sustainability frameworks.
The Commission says the initiatives remain central to its broader strategy of promoting inclusive digital transformation and ensuring that communities across Uganda can access the benefits of modern communication technologies.
