For the past three years, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has engaged in a nationwide campaign to combat the use of illegitimate mobile communication devices, citing risks to consumer safety, financial losses and national security threats.
Dubbed ‘SIMU KLEAR,’ the anti-illegitimate communication devices awareness campaign educates mobile device users on the dangers of counterfeit gadgets, methods for verifying their authenticity, and channels for redress.
GEOFREY SERUGO has travelled countrywide following the campaign and as he writes, public enlightenment remains crucial in the fight against fake mobile devices.
Precious Ateenyi is a mobile money dealer and telecom agent based in Fort Portal, Kabarole. For years, she has seen her business grow but has always had the inconvenience of various government agencies over the quality of her products.
In November, 2024, officials from UCC, upon inspection, informed her that she was engaged in the sale of illegitimate mobile phones. But instead of arresting her and killing her business, they devoted two hours to enlighten her about the need to deal in genuine gadgets.
At the end of the session, Ateenyi was a different businesswoman and vowed to adhere to the standards of her trade. To date, she goes about her business in full confidence that she is on the right path.
“Honestly, all I knew was to buy in bulk and sell at a profit but after being exposed to selling fake products, I became cautious and only buy from certified wholesalers. It has improved confidence in my customers but most importantly it has kept me within the law,” she told The Observer recently.
Ateenyi’s tale is just one of thousands of stories that officials from UCC have encountered for the past three years of implementing the SIMU KLEAR campaign across the country. UCC is implementing the campaign along with stakeholders such as Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), telecommunication companies, broadcasters and consumer bodies.
According to the recently released figures, the initiative has saved consumers form buying and using fake mobile devices. Reached out recently, William Nyombi Thembo, the UCC executive director, said the campaign is a success and had safeguarded Ugandan consumers from the risks associated with fake mobile devices.
“Illegitimate mobile communication devices compromise on quality and safety. They often fail to meet the required standards in performance, electromagnetic compatibility and health requirements. This exposes users to potential hazards such as poor reception, battery explosions and cybersecurity threats,” Thembo explained.
He added that counterfeit phones are a growing global challenge, with an estimated 180 million fake devices sold annually, causing a potential loss of $45 billion to legitimate manufacturers and governments.
In Uganda, UCC is yet to compile the final figures but it is estimated that there are more than one million fake phones on the market. According to UCC, illegitimate devices include counterfeit phones, mostly fake copies of popular smartphone brands, cloned IMEI phones with duplicated International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and uncertified mobile phones and accessories that fail to meet UCC’s safety and performance standards.
Other illegitimate devices are reprogrammed phones, which are mostly stolen devices that have been altered to bypass network restrictions, and devices that do not meet UCC’s regulatory framework.
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND DEVICE VERIFICATION
Under Section 5(k) of the Uganda Communications Act 2013, UCC is mandated to protect consumers by ensuring compliance with national and international standards. As part of the ‘SIMU KLEAR’ campaign, the commission continues to urge the public to verify the legitimacy of their mobile devices using the authentication codes *197# and *#06#.
Fred Otunnu, UCC’s director of Corporate Affairs, explains the importance of this verification process: “Every legitimate mobile phone has a unique identifier, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which registers it to a carrier network. Counterfeit devices often lack valid IMEI numbers or duplicate them from genuine phones, leading to compromised service quality and security risks,” he says.
For local mobile phone dealers, the fight against fake devices is succeeding although there is need for more effort. Brian Kasule, a phone dealer in downtown Kampala’s Mutaasa Kafeero plaza, says the initiative will soon level the field for genuine sellers.
“Many unsuspecting customers buy counterfeit devices because they are cheaper, but these phones break down quickly or fail to connect properly to networks. When they [UCC] held a campaign here last year, it pushed more people to buy from licensed dealers like us, who offer genuine and durable products,” Kasule noted.
Beyond consumer safety, Thembo believes that eliminating fake devices will improve Uganda’s digital economy.
“By promoting the use of legitimate mobile phones, we enhance network efficiency, reduce e-waste and boost government revenue through proper taxation of genuine devices,” he said.
Since February 2022, UCC has been engaging key stakeholders, including government agencies, policymakers, telecom operators and the media, to drive awareness about counterfeit mobile devices. Through grassroots sensitization efforts, mass media outreach, and partnerships with telecom operators, UCC aims to create awareness for the millions of Ugandans who use mobile gadgets.
Thembo further called upon mobile users to take responsibility by verifying their devices and reporting suspected counterfeit gadgets through designated consumer protection channels. He added that it is difficult to tell which products are genuine or fake, and it is also tedious and complex to obtain a conviction.
WHAT OTHER STAKEHOLDERS SAY
Aminah Zawedde, the permanent secretary of the ministry of ICT and National Guidance, says UCC’s multi-sectoral approach has yielded strong adherence to standards, eased enforcement efforts and raised awareness about counterfeits.
“I am happy that the cooperation amongst various entities is doing a great job to combat counterfeits,” she says.
“I call upon more stakeholders, policymakers, service providers, distributors, traders, civil society, research bodies and media to collaborate on Simu Klear to achieve adequate attention for Ugandan consumers.
Meanwhile, Fred Muwema, the ACN director Legal and Corporate Affairs, warns that cases of cancer are on the rise, in part fueled by counterfeit mobile gadgets.
“For many people, their standards are so low that they think genuine product are very expensive. What they forget is that life is even more expensive,” he says.
He calls for broader stakeholder cooperation, saying a participatory approach is the most effective way forward. Thaddeus Musoke Nagenda, the chairman KACITA, acknowledged that whereas traders are often blamed for counterfeit mobile devices on the market, it is upon consumers to stop buying substandard or fake items.
“Members of KACITA mostly import what is trending. If it is fake phones, that’s what they will import but if buyers aim for quality stuff, there would be no reason for importers to ship in fake stuff.”
At the end of the day, it is evident that whereas Simu Klear has succeeded in raising public awareness, there is still more work to do to actually achieve the goals.