In May this year, Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) and major telecom companies unveiled the Tokigeza campaign to fight telecom infrastructure vandalism. In a video posted on X this week titled “Uganda’s Digital Lifeline is Under attack”, UCC’s ED Hon. Nyobi Thembo has come out to remind and warn the general public about this vice. He stated that between 2022 and 2024, the country recorded over 10,000 acts of vandalism, a staggering figure that underscores the urgency of the situation. Cables stolen, batteries looted, and fuel siphoned from telecom towers have not only disrupted business continuity but also jeopardized critical services such as education, healthcare, and emergency response. The telecom regulator launched this campaign, in collaboration with major telecom operators MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, and ATC Uganda, and launched the “TOKIGEZA” campaign—a Luganda phrase meaning “Don’t dare do it.”
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The campaign, unveiled at the UCC headquarters in Kampala, is a multifaceted initiative designed to protect the nation’s technological backbone. Telecom infrastructure, often referred to as Uganda’s digital lifeline, powers the economy and supports essential services. However, the rampant vandalism has turned this lifeline into a target, with acts described by UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo as deliberate attacks on collective progress. These incidents are not isolated; they are systematic, potentially cutting off entire communities for several days, leaving families and businesses disconnected and vulnerable.
The “TOKIGEZA” campaign is a call to action for every Ugandan to safeguard what connects them. It leverages a comprehensive approach, utilizing radio, television, digital platforms, community barazas, and school outreach programs to drive public awareness. The initiative also engages law enforcement, district leaders, landlords, boda boda riders, and local vigilante groups to report, prevent, and deter criminal activity. This community-driven strategy is crucial, as it transforms passive bystanders into active protectors of national infrastructure.
The technological implications of this vandalism are profound. For instance, the theft of fiber cables and radio unit cables, as seen in a recent incident in Sheema district, disrupts not only mobile network services but also mobile money transactions, a lifeline for many Ugandans. Such outages delay rural development, derail government e-services, and undermine Uganda’s ambitions under the Digital Transformation Roadmap. The campaign’s emphasis on education and enforcement aims to address these challenges by fostering a culture of responsibility and vigilance.
Hon. Nyombi Thembo’s message is clear: telecom vandalism is not just theft of company equipment; it is an assault on the life, community, and nation of every Ugandan. The “TOKIGEZA” campaign urges citizens to report any act of vandalism immediately, reinforcing the idea that protecting telecom infrastructure is a collective duty. By doing so, Uganda aims to preserve its technological advancements and ensure that its digital lifeline remains intact, supporting the nation’s progress and connectivity.
As Uganda continues to navigate this technological battle, the “TOKIGEZA” campaign stands as a testament to the power of community action and regulatory foresight in safeguarding critical infrastructure. The fight against telecom vandalism is not just about protecting towers and cables; it is about securing the future of a digitally connected Uganda.
