Uganda Communications Commission, UCC, is not yet satisfied at the pace of internet connectivity despite the rapidly expanding reach or accessibility.
Executive Director, George William Nyombi Thembo says that with the coming of satellite internet provider, Starlink, there is no excuse for government and private sector organisations not to establish anywhere and get connectivity.
He acknowledges that it is becoming more of a necessity for every organisation to integrate digital technology and that it is the mandate of the government to ensure that internet services are not only accessible, but reliable too.
He says that with satellite internet, connectivity will never be a problem again, but that the worry is on how fast Ugandans, especially businesses, adopt to internet use, to sustain its supply.
Nyombi says digital technology is transforming how organisation conduct business and communicate their performance, and that when appropriately deployed, the technology can ease the work and performance and well as reporting of the organisation.
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Airtel and MTN have already partnered with Starlink to introduce different products like satellite-to-phone or direct consumer plans, enterprise partnerships, and mobile network integrations.
Thembo was speaking at the climax of the 2026 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards conducted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPAU), under the theme: Driving Sustainability Reporting through Technology and Innovation.
Stressing the role of technology in driving sustainability reporting, he called on organisations to embrace early adoption of the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) Sustainability Disclosure Standards ahead of the 2028 mandatory implementation.
This will enhance the role of corporations in the nations Tenfold GDP Growth Strategy, 2040, according to him, especially as sustainability disclosure helps in building trust in a country’s investment terrain before the investors, lenders and development partners.
Pearl Bank Uganda Ltd took home the top award, the Gold Award for Integrated Report of the Year at the 2026 FiRe Awards, having earlier won the Banking Services – Tier I category.
This was in recognition of the bank’s commitment to high standards of financial reporting, transparency, accountability and corporate governance, demonstrating the importance of quality disclosures in building stakeholder confidence and strengthening trust in the financial sector.
MTN Uganda won the Sustainability Reporting Award in recognition of its commitment to advancing sustainability, promoting transparent disclosures and integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its reporting.
ICPAU President, CPA Timothy Ediomu, commended the Uganda Communications Commission and the Government of Uganda for advancing the country’s ICT transformation. He also highlighted the importance of adopting sustainability disclosure standards, urging organisations to embrace technology, innovation and early adoption to strengthen accountability and investor confidence.
ICPAU has outlined implementation timelines and provisions for IFRS, with voluntary adoption beginning on January 1, 2026, and mandatory adoption set for January 2028 for listed entities, financial institutions, insurance and reinsurance firms, SACCOs, and public utility entities.
The roadmap also provides January 1, 2029 as deadline for retirement benefit schemes, large companies, and remaining public interest entities, while small- and medium-sized entities (SMEs) will have to abide by the standards by January 1, 2030.
Dickson Ssembuya, Director of Research and Market Development at the Capital Markets Authority hailed listed companies that had already adopted sustainability reporting, stressing the importance of this to not only the company in raising capital, but the welfare of communities and globe as a whole.
On top of the special awards like Best Improved, Best Listed and overall winners, there were also awards in at least 10 categories drawn from different sectors, both private and public organisations.