Museveni pledges to protect telecom infrastructure

Museveni said he would direct the Uganda Police Force to link surveillance cameras on telecom towers with the national security system to allow real-time monitoring and improve response to theft and vandalism.

President Yoweri Museveni in a group photo with officials from American Tower Uganda (ATC Uganda). (PPU photos)
By New Vision Journalist
Journalists @New Vision
#President Yoweri Museveni #Telecommunication towers #ATC Uganda

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President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to designate telecommunication towers as critical national infrastructure to curb rampant vandalism that continues to affect communication and service delivery across the country.

He made the assurance while meeting officials from American Tower Uganda (ATC Uganda) led by Dr Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance at State House, Entebbe on Wednesday.

ATC Uganda is a provider of wireless communications infrastructure in Uganda and operates as a subsidiary of American Tower Corporation, a global real estate investment trust specializing in telecommunications infrastructure.

During the meeting, Museveni said he would direct the Uganda Police Force to link surveillance cameras on telecom towers with the national security system to allow real-time monitoring and improve 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,” he said.

The President, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit  (PPU), also supported tougher penalties for vandals, suggesting that “If we add legal administrative orders of no bail to the criminals and vandals, it will serve as a deterrent.”

He urged telecom companies to install cameras and reinforce tower security by using tamper-proof materials.

“You can 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  suggested.

In response, Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, the CEO of ATC Uganda, thanked the President for his support towards their request and pledged the company’s cooperation.

“That can be done. We are committed to securing our towers, and supporting national development,” she said.

Kabagambe highlighted ATC Uganda’s significant investments in the country’s telecom infrastructure.

“We have invested in Uganda about sh4.5 trillion in constructing over 4,500 telecommunication towers which are shared by service providers like MTN, Airtel and others,” she said.

Kabagambe emphasized the towers’ role in local economic empowerment, noting: “We work with over 5,000 landlords who provide land for tower sites, collectively earning more than sh55 million monthly. This has improved household incomes and livelihoods, especially in rural areas.”

She called for government support in extending electricity to over 1,000 remaining tower sites that are currently off-grid.



“Over the past 12 years, we have invested about sh120 billion to connect towers to the national grid. So far, we've extended over 2,200 kilometres of electricity lines across the country,” she explained.

“This not only powers our towers but also benefits surrounding communities, including schools, health centres, and government offices. However, the remaining unconnected sites are in remote areas where grid lines must be extended for 10 to 15 kilometres and more in some areas,” she added.

She proposed that the government prioritize connecting telecom towers as part of rural electrification programs, arguing that once a tower is electrified, everyone along the path benefits.

The President agreed with the proposal, saying, “I totally agree and that one, we shall do.”

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 noted.

She also appealed for stronger legal frameworks and operational partnerships with the government to ensure telecom infrastructure continues to support Uganda’s development agenda.

Dignitaries at the meeting included the UCC tea, led by George William Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).