In a proud moment for Uganda, the country has won a seat on the Council of Administration of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) for the 2026–2029 term.
The announcement was made on Thursday, 18, 2025, evening in Dubai, where Uganda stood out among 15 African nations vying for only 11 available seats.
Uganda secured 129 votes, placing third behind Egypt (133 votes) and Tanzania (132 votes), making it one of the top three African countries elected to this powerful international body. This is Uganda’s best performance in any international ICT-related election in recent years.
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating postal services around the world.
It helps countries modernize, improve, and work together to ensure effective mail and parcel delivery.
The UPU’s Council of Administration, made up of 43 members, plays a key role in setting international postal policies, managing the organization between Congresses, and pushing forward innovation in postal services. The Congress, held every four years, is the UPU’s highest decision-making body.
Winning this seat means Uganda now has a voice in global decisions about postal and digital communication. It gives the country a platform to:
Shape international postal laws and policies
Promote innovation in postal and digital service delivery
Represent and advocate for developing countries
Push for better postal access for underserved communities
Support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This is not the first time Uganda has held a seat on the Council — the last was in the 2016–2020 cycle after an election held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Uganda’s victory was not by chance. It came through a well-coordinated and strategic campaign led by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.
He was backed by Hon. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Ambassador Zaake Kibedi, and a strong support team.
Other key members of “Team Uganda” included:
UCC Board members: Eng. Paul Odoi, Ms. Hawa Tuku, and Mr. Stephen Kabugu
UCC directors: Fred Otunnu, Susan Atengo Wegoye, Julianne Mweheire, Joyce Kasirye, and Alice Nyangoma
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Posta Uganda.
Over two weeks, the Ugandan delegation worked tirelessly — lobbying in bilateral meetings, attending strategic events, and hosting a high-level reception on September 12, 2025.
The reception, which featured the UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki and Deputy Secretary General Marjan Osvald, attracted wide international attention and support.
Uganda’s efforts paid off. It was elected alongside Egypt, Tanzania, Morocco, Ghana, Seychelles, Madagascar, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Mali. Countries like Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, and Mauritania failed to secure enough votes — showing how competitive the process was.
According to UPU rules (Article 106.3), at least half of the Council must be renewed at each Congress, and no country can serve more than two terms in a row. Uganda’s return to the Council after a term away marks a renewed opportunity to influence global postal development and digital transformation.
This victory is more than a seat at the table. It’s a chance for Uganda to champion the future of communication for Africa and the developing world.
