Telephone numbers in Uganda are regulated by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) under the Uganda Communications Act of 2013, adhering to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) E.164 standard. The country code is +256, followed by a 9-digit national significant number (N(S)N) for mobile, fixed-line, and special services.[1] Uganda operates a closed numbering plan, requiring the full number for domestic calls.[2]
Before British colonization, communication in Uganda relied on oral and drum-based systems among ethnic groups.[3] Colonial authorities introduced fixed-line telephony in the early 20th century for administrative purposes. Until 1999, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania shared a regional numbering plan, allowing calls using only trunk and area codes within the East African Community.[4] Tanzania’s adoption of a new plan in 1999 ended this arrangement, introducing regional prefixes like 006 for Uganda from Kenya/Tanzania, though modern dialing uses +256.[4] Post-independence in 1962, Uganda expanded its telecom infrastructure, with mobile services launching in the 1990s via MTN Uganda. By the mid-2000s, Uganda standardized all numbers to 9 digits to accommodate growing subscriber demand.[1]
Structure and Format
Uganda’s numbering plan complies with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, formatting numbers as +256 followed by a 9-digit N(S)N, with a maximum of 15 digits including the country code.[2] The structure includes:[1]
Mobile numbers: 2-digit prefix (e.g., 70, 75, 77, 78), followed by 7 digits. Example: +256 77 123 4567.
Fixed-line numbers: 2-digit area code (e.g., 41 for Kampala, 45 for Iganga), followed by 7 digits. Example: +256 41 123 4567.
Toll-free numbers: Start with 0800 or 0801, followed by 6–7 digits. Example: 0800 123 456.
National numbers: Use prefix (206) for virtual services. Example: +256 206 123 456.
Short codes: 3–4 digits for emergency or premium services (e.g., 999 for police).
The UCC manages short codes for emergency, customer, and value-added services, typically 3–4 digits, dialed without area codes.[6] Key codes include:[7]
Emergency and select customer service codes are fee-exempt, though providers may charge for other services.[6]
Regulatory Framework
The UCC oversees numbering allocation, spectrum management, and consumer protection under the UCC Act of 2013.[4] It ensures:[6]
Efficient resource use to prevent numbering depletion.
Fair competition among operators like MTN, Airtel, and Africell.
Consumer safeguards against fraud and predatory services.
Adaptability to new technologies, such as VoIP and 5G.
In March 2025, Parliament discussed Mobile Number Portability (MNP) to enhance competition, allowing users to retain numbers when switching providers.[8] The UCC also regulates virtual phone numbers and combats scam calls using +256 prefixes.[9]
Challenges and Issues
Uganda faces telecom challenges, including scam calls exploiting +256 numbers, often via social engineering.[10] The UCC employs tracing and blocking measures, but fraud persists.[9] Rural areas have limited network coverage, despite 85% mobile penetration and 4G in urban centers.[9] Number recycling causes misdialed calls, as reassigned numbers retain old contacts.[10] High international call rates drive reliance on VoIP apps like WhatsApp.[11]
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