The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Hon. Nyombi Thembo, has issued a passionate call for Ugandans to use only licensed postal and courier service providers, warning that unlicensed operators threaten not only individual consumers but the very fabric of Uganda’s growing e-commerce ecosystem.
Speaking at the inaugural Postal and Courier Baraza held under the theme “Safe Hands, Secure Delivery Use Licensed Operators,” Thembo highlighted the often-overlooked importance of reliable delivery services in a fast-evolving digital world.
“When you send a letter, a parcel, or even a birthday gift, you’re not just moving an object—you’re telling a story,” Thembo said. “A story of trust, of connection, and of care.”
The event brought together government agencies, security services, consumer advocates, courier companies, and e-commerce stakeholders in a historic first of its kind aimed at shifting perceptions and driving awareness around the value and safety of using certified delivery partners.
Postal and courier services, Thembo noted, are far from being just logistics providers they are silent enablers of e-commerce, rural entrepreneurship, education, and health services.
From delivering medicine on time to ensuring a tailor in Kabale can reach a client in Kitgum, these services bridge gaps where infrastructure falls short. “They are not background actors,” he said. “They are connectors of communities, accelerators of trade, and guardians of trust.”
The UCC boss recalled a cautionary tale a craftswoman in Masindi who lost business and trust after her handmade products, sent via an unlicensed courier, never reached Nairobi.
“No tracking. No accountability. Her reputation? Damaged. Her earnings? Gone,” Thembo said. “Now imagine this repeated across the country—that’s a national setback.”
Thembo emphasized that regulation is not a burden it’s a necessity. “If you’re not licensed, you’re not legal. Period,” he declared, sending a strong message to unregulated operators.
Consumers were encouraged to question service providers before sending items, while businesses were urged to comply with national regulations. The Commission, he assured, will continue to enforce fair and firm oversight.
The Baraza wasn’t just about policy talk. It featured exhibitions, roadshows, edutainment, a consumer insights survey, and a symbolic blood donation drive underscoring that the well-being of people matters just as much as economic performance.
As Uganda’s digital economy continues to expand, safe and reliable delivery systems are no longer a luxury they’re a lifeline. The UCC’s rallying cry is clear: trust licensed operators to deliver not just goods, but dignity, accountability, and progress.
“It’s not just about moving packages it’s about moving people, possibilities, and the promise of a better Uganda.”
