Counterfeit phones, according to UCC, are a security threat. Photo | Edgar R Batte
At least three in every ten Ugandans across the country own fake phones, a new report by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) shows.
The report follows a survey conducted over the last three years from February 2022 to February 2025.
Findings from the SIMU KLEAR campaign also show that at least 27 million Ugandans own phones and that UCC managed to reach out to at least 19 million of them for this survey.
Of the 19 million contacted, 6.4 million of them own what UCC termed as counterfeited or phony phones whose IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is not recognised in the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) because they are duplicated.
About the survey?
“UCC established the SIMU KLEAR campaign to raise awareness and sensitise consumers about the risks associated with illegitimate communication devices. The campaign targeted approximately 27 million mobile device subscribers across the four geographical regions of Uganda,” the report read in part.
The survey also aimed to raise awareness about the risks of buying and using illegitimate communication devices, and also educate the public on phone device verification procedures.
Besides, the survey sought to promote and to strengthen collaborations and partnerships with the relevant stakeholders to address issues associated with illegitimate devices.
The UCC report was compiled through what the officials termed as line-track-activities reaching 8.6 million respondents through the traditional media mainly the radio gathering 10 million respondents as well as through social media engagements that reached out to 300,000 people as well as town hall engagements, which reached out to 2,950 people.
Brands tested
The brands of phones tested by the UCC for their report included iPhones, which had six percent respondents, itel phone with more than 32 percent respondents, Samsung with about 19 percent and Tecno phones with 45 percent while other brands represented three percent.
The UCC is implementing the campaign along with stakeholders such as the Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), telecommunication companies, broadcasters and consumer bodies.
On the market, most phones sold downtown in retail shops go for anywhere between Shs35,000 and Shs100,000 for non-smartphones while smart phones go for between Shs150,000 and Shs700,000, depending on the kind of device you want.
While established branded phone shops have phones between Shs120,000 and Shs250,000 for non-smart phones and Shs500,000 and Shs2m, depending on the brand of phone, other top of the range phones go for as high as Shs5m and Shs10m.
Why fake phones?
Mr Alphonse Okumu, a dealer in second hand phones downtown, said most of their customers prefer cheap phones which fit their financial situations as opposed to the expensive and genuine ones.
“We have all categories of phones but the customers easily run to the cheap ones and when UCC came to verify, many of these were found to be fake. It is also easy for us to deal in these phones from the suppliers even if we were to import them, the taxes are low,” Mr Okumu said.
Telling fake phones
UCC has had an engagement with women, youth, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), traders, and small business owners over the last three years with a view of eradicating counterfeit communication devices.
UCC says for one to know whether their communication device is legitimate or not, one should dial *197#.
Last evening, after a quick survey in our newsroom, only four of 14 reporters and managers present were carrying legitimate phones.
A query to test the authenticity of the phones popped up a message for one of the devices as follows: “Your device serial number is NOT legitimate; hence your phone might be a counterfeit. Contact your device vendor or visit XXX service centre to buy a genuine device.”
UCC advices that the people they interacted with on the question of how to curb the problem of counterfeit mobile phones suggested there should be strict regulations by UNBS on the standard of imported devices, improved border control on the import of devices from unverified manufacturers, and imposing fines on people who import and distribute illegitimate devices.
Other suggestions included increased sensitisation about illegitimate devices and their dangers, encouraging people to buy from authorised dealers and distributors, and also have distributors publish a list of their retailers or open more outlets countrywide.
Mandate of UCC
The Uganda Communications Act, 2013, under Section 5(j) & 5(k) mandates to receive, investigate, and arbitrate complaints relating to communications services, and take the necessary action; as well as promote and safeguard the interests of consumers and operators as regards the quality of communications services and equipment.
Mr Nyombi Thembo, the UCC executive director, in an interview about this issue, said: “Please note that UCC is not cutting off fake phones. If your phone is fake, you can still use it because right now we are only raising awareness so that you stay informed, and the next time you go to buy a new phone, you will know what to do. When the time comes for implementation and enforcement, we shall communicate,”
Risks of using fake phones
Doctors cite serious health ailments and even life-threatening conditions as some of the risks for people who use fake phones. The UCC report indicates that the counterfeited mobile devices emit excess radiation as they heat up easily.
Dr Felix Ahabwe, a medical doctor from Mulago Hospital, told Daily Monitor last evening that exposure to excess radiation can culminate in various health ailments, including “acute symptoms like nausea and skin burns at high doses to long-term risks like cancer and genetic alterations.”
The report also highlights that the people who had illegitimate devices intimated that they majorly faced challenges such as short battery life, overheating, poor network, freezing of the screen, slow phone processing as well as slow or poor internet connection.
“The fake phones are not traceable in case they are stolen or lost since the devices cannot be traced due to a duplicated IMEI. These phones/devices are easily used by fraudsters since they cannot be tracked. They also have a short life span and get spoiled fast and since these devices are not up to global standards, they may not function in other countries,” Mr Nyombi warned during the interview.
By press time last night, the UNBS officials were yet to respond to our questions on how these counterfeit communication devices end up on the Ugandan market.
