UCC Issues New Guidelines for SIM Card Replacement and Registration

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has introduced new guidelines to address challenges faced during the replacement of SIM cards, particularly for customers without National Identity Cards or biometrics.

Issued on December 9, the guidelines outline steps to ensure a seamless process.

Steps for replacing a SIM Card without a National ID

• Customers must report the loss of their National ID to the nearest police station and obtain a confirmation letter.
• Submit the police letter to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to receive a confirmation letter verifying your registration on the national database.
• Take the NIRA-issued confirmation letter to your telecom operator's service centre for physical identification.

UCC has said that customers must appear in person at the service centre or an authorized agent shop.

SIM Card replacement, swapping, editing, or upgrades

• These services can only be performed at telecom customer service centres or designated agent shops.
• SIM cards will only be reissued to the person in whose name the SIM was registered.

Customers without biometrics

• Customers with a National ID, asylum seeker card, or refugee card that indicates the absence of biometrics must present the original document to the telecom operator.
• For individuals whose biometrics are unreadable, Ugandan nationals must obtain a validation letter from NIRA, while asylum seekers or refugees should seek a similar letter from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

According to UCC, the new measures do not apply to customers registering a new SIM card without a valid National ID.