Uganda has been elected to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Council of Administration for the 2026–2029 cycle after securing 129 votes during elections held in Dubai on Thursday. The country ranked third among 15 African candidates competing for 11 available seats in Group 5.
This is Uganda’s strongest performance in an international ICT-related election in recent years. The UPU, a specialized United Nations agency, oversees the global development of postal services. Its 43-member Council of Administration manages the organization’s work between Congresses, guiding operations and setting the future direction of the global postal system.
Uganda’s victory gives the country an opportunity to influence international postal policy, promote innovation in service delivery, and advance the interests of developing countries. It also strengthens Uganda’s role in ensuring that underserved communities benefit from improved postal and government services in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The election outcome placed Uganda behind Egypt, which received 133 votes, and Tanzania, which garnered 132. Other African countries elected were Morocco, Ghana, Seychelles, Madagascar, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Mali. Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, and Mauritania did not secure seats.
Uganda’s campaign was spearheaded by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, working with Hon. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and Ambassador Zaake Kibedi. The team included UCC Board members Eng. Paul Odoi, Ms. Hawa Tuku, and Stephen Kabugu, along with directors Fred Otunnu, Susan Atengo Wegoye, Julianne Mweheire, Joyce Kasirye, and Alice Nyangoma.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Posta Uganda also played a role in the campaign, which involved bilateral meetings with 126 delegations and a reception hosted by Uganda on September 12, 2025. The event was attended by UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki and Deputy Secretary General Marjan Osvald.
The election complies with Article 106.3 of the UPU General Regulations, which requires at least half of the Council’s membership to be renewed at each Congress and restricts countries from serving more than two consecutive terms. Uganda last held a Council seat from 2016 to 2020, following its election at the UPU Congress in Istanbul, Turkey.
(pml daily)