Uganda's recently passed Competition and Consumer Protection
Act still awaits Presidential assent and coming into force.
However, a recent positive resolution of an impasse relating to a
Presidential directive in the media industry is a good sign for the
coming law.
Background
After several stalled attempts spanning over a decade, Uganda
passed the Competition and Consumer Protection Act on 25 May 2023.
The primary goal of the Act is to control anti-competitive
behaviour by firms that is having a negative impact on Uganda's
market. The Act applies to all economic activities in Uganda and
binds the government or an enterprise owned wholly or in part by
the government, that engages in trade or business for the
production, supply or distribution of goods or the provision of a
service within a market that is open to participation by other
enterprises.
