UCC, KACITA agree on registration of WiFi hotspot resellers as licensing talks begin

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has announced plans to register public WiFi hotspot resellers and establish a multi-stakeholder committee to explore licensing arrangements that could allow eligible operators to continue operating legally.

The resolutions followed a meeting between UCC officials and members of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA Uganda), as the regulator intensifies efforts to address the growing number of unlicensed public WiFi businesses across the country.

According to UCC, the registration exercise will establish the number of hotspot resellers, their locations, the types of equipment they use and other operational details to inform further regulatory engagement.

The committee will examine possible licensing arrangements for hotspot resellers and identify a lawful framework under which eligible operators can regularise their businesses.

However, the proposed framework is still under consideration, and the registration exercise does not itself amount to a licence or authorisation to operate.

Speaking on behalf of the hotspot providers, KACITA chairperson Issa Ssekito asked UCC to suspend the enforcement deadline to allow further consultations. He also appealed to the regulator to guide operators on the appropriate licences or regulatory arrangements required to comply with the law.

UCC has not, in the information released about the meeting, confirmed that the requested suspension has been granted.

Why UCC is regulating public WiFi hotspots

The dispute concerns businesses that purchase internet connectivity from licensed internet service providers (ISPs) and resell access to customers through public WiFi hotspots, often charging users for data access.

In a statement dated October 13, 2026, UCC estimated that approximately 4,000 unlicensed providers were offering public WiFi services nationwide. The Commission argued that the operations affect consumer protection, government revenue, national security and fair competition.

Uganda’s Communications Act, 2013, gives UCC the mandate to license, supervise and regulate communications services.

Sections 21 and 22 establish licensing requirements for specified radio communications and telecommunications activities, while the Commission’s licensing framework provides for different categories of telecommunications services.

UCC has also warned that users of unlicensed hotspots may face service disruptions, cybersecurity and data privacy risks, and limited avenues for redress when problems arise.

The latest engagement signals a possible shift towards identifying a compliance pathway for hotspot resellers while enforcement efforts continue.

The key outstanding questions are which licence categories will apply, the cost of compliance, the eligibility criteria and whether the proposed arrangements will accommodate small traders who depend on reselling internet access for their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has asked Government to create a separate, cheaper licence for small Wi-Fi hotspot vendors.

He questioned why a vendor in Bwaise, Kasese or Gulu should go through the same licensing as a multinational telecom company.

He said the Uganda Communications Commission’s directive of 13 October 2026, which bans the vending of Wi-Fi hotspots, affects about 4,000 vendors serving about 1.5 million users. He cited Kenya and Rwanda as having lighter licensing for small retailers.

“We are saying the law is clear. But why not come up with regulations to say, let’s cater for these smaller players also, because they are doing incredible work to ensure Internet penetration,” he said.