UCC Orders Telcos to Block Access to Unregistered Online Communication Services

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered telecom companies that provide internet services to block all online data communication services including news websites that are not registered by UCC.

This directive follows a notice by UCC issued a month ago to all online data communication service providers operating in Uganda requiring them to apply and obtain authorization from the regulator or else face shutdown. This notice targeted online publishers, news platforms, radio and telephone operators.

The March 6 public notice had set a deadline of April 2 (three weeks ago) for the websites to register or “disciplinary measures” be taken against the non-compliant service providers, including directing internet service providers to block their access.

UCC had explained that the purpose of the move was to better regulate the online data services which are part of the various communication media.

Now, UCC has released a list of only 14 websites that have since applied for authorization, to the telcos and directed that any other unauthorized online communication service be blocked.

In a letter written to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Uganda titled ‘Unauthorized Online Data Communication Service Providers’, UCC has ordered shut down for non-compliant sites.

“Reference is made to the above subject matter and a public notice issued by the UCC on March 6 requiring all online data communication service providers (online news papers service providers) to apply and obtain authorization from the Commission,” the April 19 letter by UCC’s Acting Executive Director, Fred Otunu reads in part.

It adds; “The purpose of this letter therefore is to direct you to immediately suspend the provision of carriage services to any online data communication service provider that is not listed above and/or has no authorization certificate or other express clearance from the UCC”.