Africa-Press – Uganda. Telecommunications infrastructure provider American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda has handed over Shs20.9 billion to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to support the expansion of communication services in underserved communities.
The contribution will be channelled through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), which supports initiatives aimed at improving connectivity in areas where commercial investment in telecommunications infrastructure remains challenging.
The funds were handed over on Thursday at the UCC headquarters in a ceremony presided over by the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Joyce Ssebugwawo, and attended by UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo and ATC Uganda Chief Executive Officer Dorothy Ssemanda.
Ssebugwawo said partnerships between government, regulators and private sector players are essential in expanding access to digital services and enabling more Ugandans to participate in the digital economy.
“Through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund, we are extending connectivity to underserved communities and ensuring that more citizens can access the opportunities that come with participation in the digital economy,” she said.
UCUSAF was established to support communication services in areas that are underserved or commercially difficult to reach, including communities where infrastructure development may not attract private investment.
UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said contributions from industry stakeholders continue to strengthen the commission’s ability to implement programmes that promote universal access to communication services.
“The Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund continues to play a critical role in extending communications services to areas that would otherwise remain unserved or underserved,” Thembo said.
He added that partnerships with companies such as ATC Uganda will help accelerate efforts to promote digital inclusion across the country.
ATC Uganda Chief Executive Officer Dorothy Ssemanda said the contribution reflects the company’s commitment to supporting telecommunications growth through shared infrastructure.
“As a shared telecommunications infrastructure provider, our mission is to enable connectivity. Every tower we build and every site we upgrade supports operators in extending communications services closer to communities, businesses, schools and health facilities across Uganda,” Ssemanda said.
ATC Uganda manages telecommunications infrastructure used by mobile network operators to deliver voice, data and other digital services across the country.
The company said it remains committed to supporting government initiatives aimed at expanding connectivity and ensuring more communities benefit from digital services.
The contribution comes as Uganda continues efforts to improve digital inclusion by expanding network coverage, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas where limited infrastructure has restricted access to communication services and digital opportunities.
