Uganda vying for world radio regulatory body seat

Uganda is seeking election to ITU Radio Regulation Board (RRB) at the ongoing 10th and final 2018 council session in Dubai.

Information, Communication and Technology minister, Frank Tumwebaze, led a delegation to canvass support for Uganda's candidate, Simon Bugaba, for the 2018-22 tenure.

The permanent secretary ministry of ICT, Vincent Bagiire, and Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) executive director, Godfrey Mutabazi are on the team.  

"I have held good bilateral engagements with leaders of delegations from different countries. Our canvassing continues throughout the week," Tumwebaze said.

According to the minister, discussions over the next days will centre on the future of communications and technology.

He said a number of African countries agreed on issues of broadband connectivity, internet governance and were jointly pushing for good regulatory frameworks of the spectrum resources management.

Bugaba, the UCC head of regional operations, has established himself as a credible negotiator and lobbyist as evidenced by his key role in Uganda's election to ITU Council for the 2014-18 period, which Uganda is seeking re-election.

What is ITU Radio Regulation Board?

ITU Radio Regulation Board is a body mandated by the plenipotentiary of ITU to mediate, arbitrate, hear and resolve complaints by radio spectrum users worldwide.

Each of the seven ITU regions is allocated a number of seats on the board. Members elected to sit on the board are sponsored and fielded by ITU member states during the plenipotentiary.

The RRB board members must essentially be of integrity, knowledgeable in radio spectrum issues, knowledgeable in ITU matters and able to serve in an impartial way.

Once elected, the RRB members do not specifically represent the country or region of origin but rather the international radio community.

Each RBB member serves maximum of two terms of four years each, but for each term, elections are held to select those representing.

Why Uganda should be a member on RRB

• Enhancing Uganda's visibility within the ITU fraternity.

• Provides an opportunity for Uganda as country to build capacity in handling radio communications maters and associates regulations.

• It enables us to influence high level decisions on radio communication matters while ensuring that our regional and national interests are taken care of.

• It provides an opportunity for the national representative to nature other members of the spectrum team to in the work and activities on ITU Radio communication sector.