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A legacy of wireless phone calls
Mr Masambu gives his farewell speech recently. PHOTO by isaac kasamani
What you need to know:
This month, the 10-year tenour of Mr Patrick Masambu as the executive director of the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) officially came to an end.
Kampala
This month, the 10-year tenour of Mr Patrick Masambu as the executive director of the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) officially came to an end. His departure from the regulatory government institution was marked with grief because he was loved and adored by many staff for his character, an employee who attended his last official meeting with the UCC staff told Business Power.
Tears rolled down the eyes of those who could not imagine they were about to part company with an admirable leader who had groomed them. “The function was charactorised with emotions of joy and optimism,” added Mr Patrick Mwesigwa who has temporarily assumed his role as an acting executive director.
Mr Mwesigwa described his predecessor, an engineer by profession, “as a role model” manager that people should try to emulate. “I know he is a very hardworking man and very professional in whatever he does. You were a very great listener and respected everyone irrespective of their status, a trait that can only be found in an accomplished leader,” Mr Mwesigwa said in his farewell message to the humble executive.
Mr Chris Mutalya, the director human resource and administration at UCC, identified him as “a unique type of chief executive.” He also found him “a very faithful servant,” who interpreted and implemented government policies very diligently. “He is a wonderful advocate of institutional human resource and leaves behind a legacy of transparency,” he said.
On his part, Eng. Abel Katahoire, the chairman UCC, who went to Nairobi University with Eng. Masambu branded him “an accomplished chief executive officer.” The likable boss, supported by his team at the UCC and the government, has been the force behind Uganda’s dynamic and fast telecommunication sector over the past decade.
While the government is credited with liberalising the telecommunication sector to allow in more players in the market, Mr Masambu, who also holds a Masters in Business Administration, has been at the forefront of implementing and regulating the entrants making sure they are licensed and regulated well.
During his tenour, he licensed six new functional telecommunication companies, which had by last year invested close to Shs1.9 trillion or $1 billion dollars in Uganda. These active companies include; Warid Telecom, Orange Uganda, Smile, TMP (Broadband Company) and I-Telecom which followed Uganda Telecom, Zain, and MTN Uganda after 2006. However, 60 licensed telecommunication operators have been licensed; yet, more are interested in joining the attractive industry. Mara Telecom, a subsidiary of the wealthy home-grown Mara Group, is one of the companies that is eyeing the telecoms sector in Uganda.
Mr Masambu has also grown to 10 million, the number of mobile and fixed mobile phone users in Uganda, in just a decade, from less than 60,000 before 1999, according to the UCC statistics.
He also grew the number of postal couriers like Nation Couriers, East African Courier to mention but a few, from just 8 to 25 by December last year.
In his speech during his recent farewell party, Mr Masambu attributed his success to all people who have made significant contribution to UCC’s existence and players in the telecommunications sector. “I thank God for directing my path, making clear my mission in life and allowing me to deliver something worthwhile over the past 10 years,” he said.
Even with the tremendous achievements, he urged the staff not to rest on their laurels as there is still a lot of be done, and they will inevitably be confronted with bigger challenges in the future. “The organisation could very easily become a victim of its own success,” he warned.
Commenting on his contribution, Mr Mwesigwa said: “The legacy that you have left at the UCC will remain. I will ensure that we build on the achievements we have recorded under the leadership of Mr Masambu.”
Mr Masambu was born at Bupoto in Manafwa District in 1951 and is married with children. Internationally, he has been the Chairman of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Council and a Vice Chairman of the Group 19 of the International Telecommunications Union – a group responsible for generating ITU recommendations on mobility.
He is expected to concentrate on more international duties but giving a helping hand to the UCC and Broadcasting council under a new body. However, he has kept his next job a secret, saying he will move on to take care of his family.
