The Uganda Communications Commission has been voted the best regulator of the communications sector in East and southern Africa. The honor was awarded during the recently concluded 7th edition of the Africa Telecom People (ATP) held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast from October 5-6, 2011.
ATP is the great mass of Telecommunications in Africa. Every year, ATP personalities and instructions that left an imprint of exception in Africa. During the event, governments, telecom operators and regulators meet to consider the best solutions for a population of information technology through conferences, seminars and workshops.
Also local companies or multi nationals, nongovernmental organizations, telecoms personalities and public agencies are all part of delegates at this initiative of pan-african level, to encourage the development of technologies of the information and communication (ICT). Awards are given on the basis of best solutions and initiatives implemented by industry players over the years.
Sevy, the project director at Africa telecom people (ATP).
Mr Sevy said ATP aimed to award the continent for "perspicacity in the development stakes of the continent by ICT, and focuses its vision of the African technology world and for transparency in the participation in stimulating the African telecom chessboard " adding that "Bringing on stage telecom professionals that emerged throughout the year thanks to the quality of the services, discoveries, or by their audacity , in order to contribute to bring Africa out of its technological time-lag such is the stake of our organization.
In its judgment, the panel of judges commended on UCC for its affirmative action", nothing that UCC's good regulatory oversight has led to significant decrease in retail prices of communication services in Uganda, Hence enabling Ugandans to enjoy affordable and easily accessible communication services.
The other best regional winners were Agence de Regulation des Postes et Telecommunications de Republique Democratique du Congo (Central Africa) and the National Communications Authority of Ghana (West Africa). However there was no best regulator for the North African region.
UCC, who was not officially represented in Abidjan , will receive the award during the fourth coming salon Africa Com scheduled for Cape town , south Africa from November 9-10-2011. Reacting to the achievement. UCC Executive Director Mr Godfrey Mutabazi said the commission was humbled by the award.
"This ward is worthwhile given the fact that over the last decade, we have made great strides in the development of our country's communications sector. The sector is one of the most dynamic areas of the country's economy, both as key source of growth and employment", he said.
Mr Matabazi, however tempered his remarks with a word of caution, "As we celebrate this achievement we should not rest on our laurels. The challenge for us is to scale more height with focus, enthusiasm and motivation .It's my wish that we retain the award next year and the years after.
To emerge as the best regulator for East Africa and Southern Africa, UCC had to word off stiff competition from sister regulators for the region Agence de Regulation et de Controle des Telecommunication (ARTC) of Burundi, Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA).Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), Information and Communications Technologies Authority of Mauritius (ICTAM), and Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
Others were the Lesotho communications Authority (LCA). Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MCRA), Postal and Telecommunication and Regulatory Authority Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA), Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) ,and Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority(ZICTA).
The chair person of Uganda Communications Commission Dr Dorothy Okello was equally effusive in her praise. "This is good news and unbelievable! Without exaggeration, this is a big achievement. I don't say that lightly, and for me UCC is pure quality," Dr Okello said, enumerating the milestones UCC has achieved over the last decade.
"The public, while appreciative of work, still expect more from UCC, This calls for the need to more transparency, efficiency, hard work, innovation, fuel market growth, and protect investments in new technologies. This may sound a tall order, but I'm confident we are up to the task," she said.
The news if the award has been received with appreciation at UCC .and the general mood at UCC House is one of celebrating.
From New Vision
