UCC pushes infrastructure sharing to clean up Uganda’s cities

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Communications Commission is moving to reorganize telecommunication infrastructure in urban areas, citing a “shabby” appearance caused by a lack of infrastructure sharing among communications companies.

Rapid expansion of internet services in recent years has led to a proliferation of poles, cables, and other equipment installed individually by numerous service providers.

“While high-speed internet is crucial for modern living, the shabby appearance of our urban neighborhoods, littered with unkempt clusters of poles and wires, raises concerns about order and aesthetics,” said Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the UCC. He emphasized the need to balance infrastructure rollout with orderly urban living.

In 2021, the UCC introduced Infrastructure Deployment and Sharing Guidelines, aiming to encourage telecom operators to share essential infrastructure like poles, ducts, and underground cabling. However, compliance has been inconsistent. The regulator noted instances where as many as ten poles are installed by different companies in one spot, sometimes alongside electricity poles, creating safety risks and visual clutter.

In response, the UCC has initiated audits to identify problematic areas, with plans to encourage the consolidation of installations by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The commission is also implementing stricter technical standards for pole installation, covering aspects like height, spacing, trenching, and cable tagging.

“These measures will not only improve safety but also enhance the visual appearance of our cities,” Thembo said. He added that the introduction of infrastructure mapping based on a Geographical Information System (GIS) aims to boost transparency and efficient tracking of ongoing projects.

A multi-stakeholder working group, comprising chief executives from agencies including the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), and major telecom operators, has been established. This group will collaborate on strategies to streamline infrastructure installations through coordinated sharing.

The UCC is also promoting underground infrastructure, deeming it safer and cleaner. This involves a collaborative effort with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, and the Ministry of Works and Transport, to coordinate planning for infrastructure developments like road construction and underground telecommunication corridors.

In 2024, ISPs contributed to designing these underground corridors, starting with Kampala and its metropolitan areas of Wakiso, Mukono, and Mpigi. According to the UCC, many providers are already utilizing these aggregated underground networks, which the commission describes as a “carpooling model” for infrastructure. This approach is expected to reduce costs and maintain cleaner, more organized urban spaces.

Thembo urged service providers to enhance collaboration, stating that regulations alone aren’t enough to address the infrastructure clutter.

“By promoting a ‘share more, dig less’ mentality, we can maintain a balance between unimpeded connectivity and the aesthetic integrity of our cities,” he said. He believes these steps, including the development of underground corridors, “herald a future where connectivity doesn’t come at the expense of our city’s beauty.”