In line with the current Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) approach of evidence-based mandate implementation, UCC commissioned a study to establish the extent of universal access and usage gap of basic communication services, focusing on telephony and broadband services. The purpose of this study was to establish the extent of the universal access gap of basic communication services in the country and establish the emerging trends as far as access and usage of digital services is concerned so as to inform the Fund’s operational pillars and strategic interventions.

Key objectives of the study included;

1. Conducting a comparative analysis of Uganda’s universal access policies, infrastructure, and service delivery against regional and international best practices to identify lessons and opportunities for improvement.
2. Establish the extent to which the existing legal and regulatory frameworks are promoting or inhibiting universal access to basic communication services as defined in the universal access policy of the country.
3. Establish the extent to which the universality of telephony and broadband infrastructure coverage in the country.
4. Establish profile and extent of unserved and underserved demographics within the country.
5. Establish the level of universal access and usage of digital devices and services.
6. Evaluate the delivery of affordable basic communication services to persons with disabilities and
7. other underserved communities, like refugees.
8. Evaluate the socioeconomic impact of the universal access gap