ENTEBBE, Uganda— President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to designate telecommunication towers as critical national infrastructure to combat rampant vandalism that disrupts communication and service delivery across Uganda.
Museveni made the commitment during a meeting with officials from American Tower Uganda (ATC Uganda) at State House, Entebbe, on Wednesday. ATC Uganda, a subsidiary of American Tower Corporation, is a major provider of wireless communication infrastructure in the country.
During the meeting, Museveni said he would direct police to integrate surveillance cameras on telecom towers with the national security system for real-time monitoring and improved response to theft and vandalism.
“I will give an order to the police so we can have a camera network on each of these towers, linked with the existing police surveillance system. Those cameras can provide zonal oversight from command centers, so officers can see what’s happening in real time,” Museveni said.
He also advocated for stricter penalties for vandals, suggesting, “If we add legal administrative orders of no bail to the criminals and vandals, it will serve as a deterrent.”
Museveni urged telecom companies to install cameras and reinforce tower security with tamper-proof materials. “Can you have cameras at your cost and if possible, add a cage made of material that’s not attractive to thieves like concrete poles so the vandals struggle to reach?” he asked.
Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, CEO of ATC Uganda, thanked the president for his support and pledged the company’s cooperation. “That can be done, Your Excellency, we are committed to securing our towers, and supporting national development,” she said.
Kabagambe highlighted ATC Uganda’s significant investments in Uganda’s telecom infrastructure. “In Uganda, we have invested about 4.5 trillion shillings in constructing over 4,500 telecommunication towers which are shared by service providers like MTN, Airtel, and others,” she said.
She also emphasized the towers’ role in local economic empowerment, noting that the company works with over 5,000 landlords who collectively earn more than 55 million shillings monthly.
Kabagambe requested government support in extending electricity to over 1,000 off-grid tower sites. “Over the past 12 years, we have invested about 120 billion shillings to connect towers to the national grid. So far, we’ve extended over 2,200 kilometers of electricity lines across the country,” she said.
She proposed that the government prioritize connecting telecom towers as part of rural electrification programs, arguing that it benefits surrounding communities. Museveni agreed with the proposal.
Kabagambe also underscored the company’s local impact. “This company is built by Ugandans, for Uganda. Though our shareholders are based in Boston, we are deeply rooted in this country,” she said.
She called for stronger legal frameworks and operational partnerships with the government to ensure telecom infrastructure supports Uganda’s development.
George William Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), also attended the meeting.
