The four top contenders of the job included Thembo, Eng. Irene Kaggwa, who also serves as UCC’s Director for Engineering and Communication Infrastructure; Fred Otunnu, the Director of Corporate Affairs at UCC; Julianne Mweheire, Director of Industry Affairs and Content Development at UCC
The Minister of ICT Chris Baryomunsi has appointed Nyombi Thembo, 59, as the new Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Baryomunsi wrote to UCC on Thursday, saying he had elected to appoint Thembo to lead UCC for the next five years.
Thembo, who previously served as State Minister of ICT, has been heading the The Uganda Communications Universal Services Access Fund (UCUSAF), formerly known as Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) at UCC,
Thembo takes over from Eng Irene Kaggwa who has been holding the fort in acting capacity for the last four years following the retirement of Eng Godfrey Mutabazi in February 2020.
The position was advertised in September 2023, attracting at least 70 applicants from across the country.
ChimpReports understands that the four top contenders of the job included Thembo, Eng. Irene Kaggwa, who also serves as UCC’s Director for Engineering and Communication Infrastructure; Fred Otunnu, the Director of Corporate Affairs at UCC; Julianne Mweheire, Director of Industry Affairs and Content Development at UCC.
The appointment comes just three years to the 2026 presidential elections.
Much as Nyombi was no longer active on Uganda’s political scene, he is a known NRM mobiliser in his constituency in Kassanda South.
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.
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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).
ChimpReports recently reported that 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.”
