The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has met with the representatives of bus companies in and other stakeholders in Kampala in a bid to have measures that can ensure the safety of clients, dispatches and other items.
UCC’s Director of Corporate Affairs Fred Otunnu said during the meeting that: “Stakeholders engagement is a key regulatory function that we at the commission take seriously. He said the meeting was vital in formulating the frameworks for the operation of the courier business.
The meeting was held under the theme, “Towards improved courier delivery and safety of property in transit.” The meeting attracted participants from bus companies KK Travelers, Gaaga Coaches, Y.Y Coaches among others. Representatives from the Transport Licensing Board (TLB).
Otunnu said UCC wants to ensure the security and quality of postal services and others in the transport sector.
Winston Katushabe, Commissioner Transport Regulation and Licensing at the Ministry of Works and Transport said: “As parcel deliveries “become common, the rise of failed deliveries has also increased.”
He urged bus courier operators to employ ICT solutions such as tracking systems to increase efficiency.
He said Section 33 of the UCC Act prohibits any person from conveying, delivering or distributing postal articles without a license.
The Commissioner said postal articles are to include any letter, postcard, newspaper, book, document, pamphlet pattern, sample packet, defined parcel package or other article tendered for dispatch or specified in the International Postal Union of the license of an operator.
However, he said that article 32 of the Act provides that; a person shall not require a licence to convey, deliver or distribute articles for delivery to another person or persons to whom they are directed, without hire, reward or other profit or advantage for receiving, carrying or delivering them.
UCC Senior Enforcement officer, Kenneth Seguya said the engagement would empower players in the sector to know “who is to be held liable in case of breach of the law, lost postal articles or those tampered with, and management of liability.
Section 5(b) of the Act mandates UCC to monitor, inspect, licence, supervise, control and regulate communications services in Uganda.
Similarly, the conveyance, delivery or distribution of postal articles without a license issued by UCC is prohibited.
The five courier and postal license categories are national postal operator, international license, regional license, domestic license and intercity license, suitable for bus operators.
Otunnu urged players to obtain postal licences, saying that it would ensure fair competition among operators, but also promote efficient, equitable and quality postal services, increase revenue and profitability among others.
He said other benefits would include; sharing of infrastructure to bring down costs of providing services, opportunity for last mile delivery in e-commerce transactions and coordination initiatives between the postal industry and the relevant national and international organisations in matters relating to postal.