The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has shortlisted 10 candidates for the job of Executive Director.
The position was advertised in September 2023, attracting at least 70 applicants from across the country.
ChimpReports has exclusively learned that the communications regulatory body has since dropped 60 applicants, leaving only 10 powerful candidates from the government and private sector as the most suitable for the job.
The candidates include Eng. Irene Kaggwa, who has been serving as UCC’s Acting Executive Director following the expiry of Godfrey Mutabazi’s ten-year term in February 2020.
Kaggwa also serves as UCC’s Director for Engineering and Communication Infrastructure.
An engineer by profession, Kaggwa holds a Master of Science in Communications Systems and Signal Processing from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in Economic Management and Policy (Business Economic Pathway) from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom. She acquired her Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University, Kampala.
Prior to her current appointment, Eng Kaggwa was the Head of Research and Development Unit as well as the Coordinator of the Office of the Executive Director. She is a top contender for the race.
Sources say that following Mutabazi’s exit, Museveni held a high-level meeting at State House Entebbe, where several security officials argued that she was “still young” and unable to run the regulatory body. However, the president said, “Let’s give her a chance to demonstrate her skills.”
Fred Otunnu
The second candidate in the race is Fred Otunnu, the Director of Corporate Affairs at UCC.
Otunnu is both a social scientist and a lawyer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, a Masters in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) all from Makerere University and a post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Law Development Centre, Kampala).
Otunnu has a wealth of experience in international relations, ICT regulation, consumer protection issues and corporate communications. Prior to his current appointment, Mr Otunnu was Acting Director of Broadcasting at UCC. He has been at UCC for over two decades and understands the intricate corridors of power. Whenever Mutabazi travelled overseas, Otunnu would hold fort. He also is a strong candidate for the job.
Juliane Mweheire
The third candidate in the heated race is Julianne Mweheire, Director of Industry Affairs and Content Development at UCC.
Julianne is the wife of Patrick Mweheire, the former Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Uganda. She has over 13 years of work experience in the telecommunications sector, having worked with MTN Uganda.
She has a Master of Science in Telecommunications Management – Global Innovations of Telecommunications from Stevens’s institute of Technology, New Jersey, USA. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Business Management majoring in Management, Economics and Accounting.
Insiders say she also stands a higher chance of taking the job given her solid experience in the telecoms sector.
David Ogong
The fourth candidate is David Ogong, who previously served as the UCC Director of Competition and Corporate Affairs.
Sources say UCC has evolved over the last few years. Ogong belongs to the old crop of former UCC officials who have lost touch with the organisation.
His chances of becoming UCC ED are minimal compared to other shortlisted candidates.
Anthony Katamba
Also shortlisted for the powerful position is Anthony Katamba, the former head of Legal Affairs boss at MTN Uganda.
A flashy city lawyer, Katamba is remembered for authoring a hard-hitting dossier, accusing senior MTN officials of bribing UCC’s leadership with millions of dollars to renew the telecom’s contract in 2019.
In his dossier, Katamba reportedly accused the MTN administration led by Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte of tax evasion and espionage. Alarmed by the nature of accusations, security organisations raided MTN’s data centre and deported Wim from Uganda.
MTN responded by firing Katamba from his job. It is unlikely that Katamba will be selected as UCC ED over his past conduct.
The sixth candidate for the position of UCC ED is former Minister of State for ICT, Nyombi Thembo. He currently serves as the Director for the Rural Development Communication Fund (RCDF) at UCC, a position he has held since January 2017.
Nyombi Thembo
Nyombi was elected to the Ugandan Parliament in 2001, representing his home constituency of Kassanda County South in Mubende District (2001-2015).
He has also held a number of posts in the Ugandan Cabinet: State Minister for primary education in the Ministry of Education and Sports (2001-2009), State Minister for Luwero Triangle in the Office of the Prime Minister (2009-2011) and then as State Minister for Information and Communications Technology (2011-15).
Officials close to the President say Nyombi started lobbying the State House for the position of UCC ED even during his time as State Minister of ICT.
“He loves that position so much,” said a source who preferred anonymity to speak freely, adding, “That job has always been his dream.”
President Museveni is politically sensitive. He would want an Executive Director who will help his political party to retain power in the 2026 polls.
Much as Nyombi is no longer active on Uganda’s political scene, he is a known NRM mobiliser in his constituency in Kassanda South. Museveni has a special affection for mobilisers.
UCC has overwhelming powers over Uganda’s communications industry.
The regulatory body has previously come under intense criticism for using rules on minimum broadcasting standards to stifle free speech especially during highly charged political seasons including election campaigns.
UCC has also been criticised for failing to crack down on predatory and exploitative private institutions such as Multichoice and telecom service providers.
To many Ugandans on social media, UCC’s failure to protect customers borders on regulatory capture.
“We want a level-headed official to run UCC, not mobilisers,” said Datson Segawa, a political commentator when approached by ChimpReports.
“Uganda needs someone who will hold powerful industry players accountable for their actions; protect consumers’ interests and position Uganda to benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies,” Segawa emphasised.
Mugimba
Also in the race for UCC ED is Eng. Christine Mugimba, the Director of ICT and Research at UCC.
She has broad knowledge and expertise in Communications Regulation accumulated over 19 years in the areas of Quality of Service, Spectrum Management, Research and Development, and Innovation Promotion.
Mugimba holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University, a Master of Science in Communications Systems and Signal Processing from the University of Bristol, UK, and an Executive MBA from Saunders College of Business, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA.
Prior to her current appointment, Eng. Mugimba held various leadership positions at the Commission, including Head, Spectrum Management; Head, Engineering and Postal Services; and Head, Strategy and Research.
In an advert published by newspapers last month, UCC said it was looking for an Executive Director with an experience of 15 years in areas of strategic leadership in the communications, regulatory, policy development, public administration, management and governance areas of which five years must be in a senior management position in a similar corporate environment.
While all the shortlisted candidates have the required qualifications and experience for the top job at UCC, well-placed sources say the topmost contenders are Irene Kaggwa, Fred Otunnu and Julianne Mweheire.
Process
UCC’s board of directors which will select five candidates from the shortlist to forward to the Minister of ICT, Chris Baryomunsi.
The Minister will then choose three names to forward to President Museveni from which the head-of-state will appoint the next Executive Director of UCC.
The President is a big stakeholder in the selection of the UCC ED given the prominence of the position.
UCC regulates telecommunications, data communications, broadcasting, postal and radio communications and infrastructure in the country.
The ICT sector alone contributes about Shs 3tn to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This requires a very competent official to run the communications industry’s regulatory body.
In 2022, telecoms’ gross revenues rose to Shs 4.8tn from 4.5tn in 2021.
