A SIM card registration agent has been sentenced to one year in prison or given the option of paying a fine of UGX 500,000 after being convicted of violating Uganda's SIM card registration procedures.

According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Patrick Wanyera, who was working as an Airtel Uganda agent, unlawfully registered a subscriber outside an approved SIM card registration point. He also signed the subscriber registration form on behalf of the customer before issuing the SIM card, in violation of Regulation 28 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations, 2024.

UCC said the illegally registered SIM card was later used to defraud a student through a bogus scholarship scheme, highlighting the risks associated with irregular SIM card registration.

The Commission said it is strengthening enforcement of the country's SIM card registration framework, noting that properly registered SIM cards are essential for promoting trust, security and accountability in Uganda's digital communications sector.

According to UCC, irregular SIM card registration creates opportunities for fraud, financial crime, identity misuse and other offences that undermine public confidence in communications services.

The regulator also said it is increasing oversight of communications service providers to ensure they effectively supervise their employees, agents and third parties involved in SIM card registration.

Under Regulation 27 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations, 2024, communications service providers may face penalties of up to UGX 5,000,000 for irregular SIM card registration.

UCC urged SIM card registration agents to strictly follow the prescribed registration procedures and advised members of the public to register their SIM cards only at authorised registration points using their own valid identification documents.

The Commission said these measures are aimed at protecting the integrity of Uganda's communications sector, safeguarding the public from communications-related crime and supporting a safe and trusted digital ecosystem.