Ibrahim Bbossa #IKB

Good day, Gerald menelik
@geraldmenelik
Let me clarify something important.

Unlimited internet doesn't always mean unlimited speed. Many home internet packages operate under a Fair Usage Policy (FUP). For example, a package may offer 100 Mbps up to a certain data limit, after which your speed reduces, although you can still access the internet.

That's why I encourage you to carefully read the Fair Usage Policy attached to your subscription, particularly the data limits, speed reductions and renewal conditions.

However, this is where consumer protection comes in: These restrictions must be clearly disclosed before you subscribe. If your speeds were reduced in a way that violates the agreed terms, you have every right to question it.

A telecom licence is not a blank cheque to treat customers unfairly.

Please include your package details and usage history in a complaint to your provider so they can review the circumstances. #Tulinamwe

Good day, Patriot
@KejengeR
It’s genuinely frustrating when your phone keeps buzzing with alerts, flashing pop-ups, and promo texts you never asked for.

To put it plainly: No, neither @UCC_Official nor the law gives MTN Uganda or any telecom a free pass to bombard you with unsolicited commercial messages. In fact, the law specifically restricts such messages.

WHEN CAN AN OPERATOR LEGALLY SEND MESSAGES WITHOUT PRIOR OPT-IN?
Although commercial spamming is illegal, specific legal exceptions may authorise an operator or even require one to notify you:

Direct Service & Network Management (Transactional Alerts): When you buy a bundle, load airtime, run low on data, or request your service balance, the telecom is legally carrying out the service contract you initiated. Notifications about account deductions or expiry aren’t considered "unsolicited spam”; they’re necessary for managing the service.

Public Interest, Emergencies & State Directives: Under Regulation 2(2) of the Text and Multimedia Messaging Regulations, 2019, messages initiated by the government, emergency services, or persons formally authorised by @UCC_Official in the public interest, such as for epidemic alerts, national security, or natural disasters, are exempt.

Mandatory Consumer Notices: Under regulations such as the Uganda Communications (Centralised Equipment Identification Register) Regulations, 2019 (Regulation 12), telecoms are legally required to send SMS notifications about counterfeit phones, unregistered devices, or IMEI validation.

WHY ARE YOU STILL GETTING PROMO TEXTS?
Telecoms often hide things in the fine print. When you register a SIM card or review the standard terms of service, clauses are often tucked away where you "agree" to receive company updates and partner promotions.

Even if you agreed earlier, you can withdraw your consent at any time. Regulation 12 of the Text and Multimedia Messaging Regulations gives every subscriber the absolute right to opt out easily. Operators must keep records of these requests and honour them.

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Send an opt-out request: Reply STOP to promotional short codes or use MTN’s USSD opt-out menus (or the industry-standard *196# / *100#) to block bulk promotional notifications.

Demand Consent Disclosure: Under Regulation 12(8) of the Text and Multimedia Messaging Regulations, you have the explicit legal right to ask the operator to explain exactly how they obtained your contact details and where they recorded your consent.

Escalate to the Regulator: If the operator ignores your opt-out requests or continues flooding your device, Regulation 18 allows any subscriber to file a formal complaint directly with the UCC Consumer Affairs desk @ConsumerUCC.

Under Section 5(1)(j) & (k) of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013, @UCC_Official is authorised to investigate consumer complaints, order operators to stop non-compliant practices, and impose significant administrative fines. #Tulinamwe

Bro, @AchieMiggz, I hear you, and you’ve raised an important point. Someone who has invested millions isn’t just looking for a commission. You've built a business, and that investment deserves recognition.

But here's an important point: @UCC_Official isn’t saying every hotspot entrepreneur has to become a commission-based agent.

Your business can follow one of three pathways to achieve compliance, depending on how it operates.

1. Public Service Provider (PSP) Licence: For entrepreneurs looking to operate as independent internet service providers, subject to applicable licensing requirements, this lets you pursue your own business model instead of simply earning commissions.

2. Communal Licence: For eligible operators providing connectivity to a defined community, subject to the conditions of that licence.

3. Agency Authorisation: For those who prefer to work under an arrangement with a licensed provider. The commercial terms, including any commissions, would depend on the agreement.

So, agency is an option, not the only option.

The next important step is to determine which pathway best fits your operations, existing investments, and business ambitions, then engage the relevant licensed providers where needed.

The Minister has given operators until 10 November 2026 to regularise their operations.

The aim isn’t to turn every entrepreneur into an agent, but to help legitimate businesses find a lawful way to operate, grow, and serve Ugandans. #Tulinamwe

Dear Patriot
@KejengeR
I understand your frustration. When you pay for home internet advertised as unlimited but experience slower speeds, it's natural to feel cheated.

But here's an important distinction. Unlimited data doesn't always mean unlimited speed. Some packages have a Fair Usage Policy (FUP), under which speeds may be reduced after a specified amount of data is consumed to manage network capacity.

However, that policy must be disclosed clearly before you subscribe, not buried in the fine print.

I can’t confirm Airtel's specific package terms or whether @UCC_Official approved the restriction without reviewing the offer.

Please share the package details and the speed restrictions you experienced with our Consumer Affairs team, @ConsumerUCC, so they can conduct a proper examination.
#Tulinamwe

Dear kaweesi..
@hnry_kws
Thank you for raising this.
The Minister gave hotspot operators until 10 November 2026 to regularise their businesses. A temporary suspension of service deactivation was also discussed, but formal confirmation is still pending. I have not yet seen any formal communication confirming it.

Therefore, I cannot say that all enforcement was officially stopped. That said, @UCC_Official paused enforcement.
#Tulinamwe