The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) held a pivotal meeting on Friday at River Side Hotel to address rising concerns over fraud and telecommunications challenges affecting the residents of Rukungiri.
The event saw participation from various stakeholders, including representatives from major networks like MTN and Airtel, local government officials, religious leaders, schools and media teams.
The gathering was initiated by Geoffrey Kyomukama, Chairperson of LC 5, who expressed gratitude to the UCC for choosing Rukungiri as the venue for this important dialogue. He highlighted the alarming increase in fraudulent activities within the municipality, referring to the perpetrators as “Abafere.”
Kyomukama urged the UCC to take decisive action to protect local businesses and safeguard the livelihoods of residents who rely on internet services.
Claire Kaziza Katete, a UCC representative, reported on a recent survey conducted to gather community feedback. The survey engaged 1,235 respondents across various areas, including Nyamayenje and Nyakitabire, and revealed significant concerns.
Key issues raised included high data costs, poor network quality, mobile money fraud, and inadequate customer service. Residents emphasized the need for improved public awareness and responsiveness from service providers.
Jude Murindwa, UCC Regional Manager for Western Uganda, supported Katete’s findings, explaining that the commission has been conducting talk shows to identify the challenges faced by consumers.
“Our goal is to enhance service delivery and ensure that people can enjoy reliable telecommunications,” she said, expressing hope that the dialogue would yield positive results.
Keneth Tweheyo, a UCC official responsible for consumer affairs, elaborated on the challenges posed by fraudsters who exploit unregistered SIM cards, making them difficult to trace. He noted that counterfeit mobile devices have exacerbated these issues, contributing to a rise in fraudulent activities.
Concludingly, Deputy RDC Ahimbisibwe Wilberforce Ongom stressed the importance of community involvement in combating fraud. He noted that many criminals are often familiar to residents, urging the community to take collective responsibility in addressing these issues.
Ongom also called on the UCC to help mitigate the spread of fake news on social media, which he identified as another pressing challenge.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from UCC and local leaders to work collaboratively in addressing the concerns raised. The UCC aims to implement feedback from the community to improve the telecommunications landscape in Rukungiri, fostering a safer environment for all residents.
