consumer rights protection (PHOTO/Javira Ssebwami).
KAMPALA — Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has join the rest of the world to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day 2021, commemorated every Monday, March 15.
In her opening remarks, UCC Executive Director, Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo said the UCC Act of 2013 obliges the commission to protect consumers of communication services in terms of quality and equipment.
“UCC seeks not only to protect consumers but also empower them in making informed decisions,” she said.
Eng. Kaggwa also emphasised that the UCC has a duty to ensure that financial technology grows and thrives without doing so at the expense of the consumer.
“Encouraging innovation and protecting consumers go hand in hand, and will always remain the core mandate of regulators,” she said.
Mr Mutabazi had earlier noted that while financial technology and data analytics, in general, has brought many opportunities, they have also presented many challenges.
She reiterated UCC commitment to achieving digital economy.
Cognizant of this year’s global theme ‘Tackling plastic pollution’, in consideration of local context and current challenges this year, UCC is commemorating the day with a discussion of consumer safeguards under the theme ‘Empowerment for Digital Safety: Challenges and Lessons’.
Experts including consumer and telecoms representatives, broadcasters among others are discussing the matter, focusing on digital economy and Data management.
For example, they have opined that e-commerce platforms need to give the most importance to the rights of consumers, while regulators should be vigilant to ensure that consumers are not deceived by buying products online.
They also say, thousands of complaints against some companies come to the Directorate of UCC consumer affairs but they are not doing enough to this end.
UCC says its consumer protection function aims to key among others protect and empower consumers to make informed decisions,
educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities and
ensure compliance of operators with license obligations on customer care and consumer protection.
First observed in 1983, the day is marked to raise awareness about consumer rights and has since 1983 become a focal point for promoting consumer rights and advocating for fair business practices.
As the regulatory body of the communications sector in Uganda, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is mandated to promote consumer awareness and protect the interests of consumers in the sector.
