Uganda eyes child SIM register to protect minors online
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is considering a rule that would require parents to declare SIM cards used by their children, so that mobile operators can add online protections for minors.
The proposal would allow operators to keep a record of SIM cards used by children and build safeguards around them, targeting cyberbullying, harmful content, online grooming and exploitation.
UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo revealed the proposal while opening the two-day UCC Testbed Hackathon 2026 at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) in Nakawa, Kampala. He described it as part of a wider effort to protect children as internet access expands across the country.
The proposal is still under consideration. The commission has not said when a rule might take effect, how far it would reach or how it would be enforced.
Thembo said a child with a phone is no longer limited to their immediate surroundings but is connected to an online world of more than six billion people. That brings opportunities for learning, communication and personal growth, but also exposes children to abuse and exploitation.
However, he cautioned against shutting young people out of the digital world over safety fears. He argued instead for regulated and monitored phone use, including in schools, saying connectivity brings real educational and developmental benefits when proper safeguards are in place.
Parents in focus
Thembo said parents have a central role in monitoring their children’s online activity, while government and community institutions are responsible for raising awareness and building stronger protection systems.
To support this, the UCC plans to hold annual meetings with parents and community organisations to help families understand online safety and keep up with emerging digital threats. The sessions will complement the regulatory and technical measures the commission is developing.
The hackathon brings together young innovators to build AI tools for online safety. Thembo urged participants to create technology that protects children’s privacy and wellbeing while still allowing them to benefit from being connected.
Uganda’s move comes as governments across East Africa step up efforts to protect children online. In Kenya, a draft Online Safety Bill 2026 proposes parental consent for children using online services, along with age verification requirements for platforms.
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