The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is set to license more companies to provide free-to-air television signal distribution services, ending Signet’s exclusive role as the country’s main digital terrestrial television signal distributor.
UCC says the move is aimed at improving service delivery, expanding coverage, and addressing long-standing challenges that have affected access to free-to-air television in several parts of the country.
UCC Director of Legal Affairs Susan M. Atengo Wegoye confirmed that Signet no longer enjoys exclusivity as the free-to-air signal distributor, adding that the commission is ready to bring on board additional licensed operators.
Signet, a signal distribution arm of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), was established as a special-purpose vehicle during Uganda’s transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting in 2014. The company was mandated to provide a neutral platform by receiving signals from television broadcasters and distributing them to viewers across the country.
UCC Head of Public and International Relations Ibrahim Bbossa described the development as a transformation of the broadcasting space, saying new distributors can now participate while the commission reviews licensing fees. Signet’s dominant role followed the 2015 analogue-to-digital migration, but over the years, the service has faced challenges, including limited nationwide coverage, signal interruptions, and poor service delivery.
Several districts outside Greater Kampala and Jinja have experienced unreliable or no free-to-air television signal for extended periods.
The situation worsened in 2025 when widespread signal disruptions were linked to financial constraints affecting UBC and Signet, including difficulties in maintaining equipment amid growing debts and tax obligations.
The disruptions affected broadcasters and viewers, with many people turning to pay television platforms or low-quality and unauthorized equipment to access television services. Bbossa said some areas were experiencing temporary coverage challenges due to transmission sites being offline, adding that UBC and Signet were working to restore affected sites and improve nationwide coverage.
“Digital migration is a long-term project, and although progress might seem inconsistent, consistent efforts are underway to make sure all Ugandans, beyond just Kampala residents, can access free-to-air services,” Bbossa said. UCC says introducing more signal distributors is expected to increase competition, improve reliability, and strengthen access to free-to-air television services across Uganda-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
