The operation, conducted in coordination with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), has so far targeted areas including Kasangati, Kawaala, Kasubi and Kawempe.
People familiar with the operation said police are targeting operators who provide public Wi-Fi services without the required regulatory approvals, as well as those installing cables and equipment on poles, fibre routes and other telecommunications infrastructure without permission from infrastructure owners.
The enforcement is expected to extend to other parts of the city as authorities seek to bring the growing informal Wi-Fi market into compliance with national regulations.
The crackdown comes amid growing demand for affordable internet connectivity, with neighbourhood Wi-Fi businesses emerging to serve customers seeking alternatives to individual mobile data bundles.
However, authorities say operators cannot provide public internet services outside the regulatory framework.
The Uganda Communications Commission announced nationwide enforcement against illegal public Wi-Fi services on July 8, 2026, following investigations that identified unlicensed businesses installing telecommunications equipment to provide unauthorised public internet hotspots.
UCC executive director George William Nyombi Thembo said the growth in internet access was creating new business opportunities, but warned that public internet providers must comply with national laws and regulations.
“Those operating without a licence expose consumers to unreliable services, potential data privacy violations, cyber threats, and limited avenues for redress when complaints arise,” Thembo said.
The police operation also follows concerns raised by telecommunications companies over the unauthorised use of their infrastructure.
Telecom operators say cables and equipment installed without approval can damage network assets, interfere with maintenance and increase the likelihood of service interruptions.
Such disruptions could affect internet access, telephone services and mobile money, with businesses increasingly dependent on reliable connectivity for daily operations.
MTN said it supports community connectivity and businesses that provide internet services, but raised concerns about the potential impact of unauthorised infrastructure use.
“Our concern is the potential damage, safety risks, service interruptions and business disruption that may arise from the unauthorised use of MTN infrastructure,” the company said.
The company said it has a responsibility to protect its infrastructure and maintain services that depend on its network.
Police and UCC have also raised concerns about safety where unauthorised cables and equipment are installed near electricity and telecommunications infrastructure.
Improper installations can create hazards for technicians and members of the public, while damage to network infrastructure can disrupt services for users beyond the immediate location.
For consumers, the regulator says using unlicensed public Wi-Fi can also create data privacy and cybersecurity risks.
Licensed providers are required to meet standards covering quality of service, consumer protection, data privacy and cybersecurity, requirements that unauthorised operators may not meet.
UCC has urged operators providing public Wi-Fi without the required approvals to regularise their businesses or stop operating.
The regulator has also advised consumers to use licensed providers or authorised agents.
The police-led enforcement signals a tougher approach to the rapidly expanding informal connectivity market, with authorities seeking to ensure that businesses benefiting from growing demand for internet access operate within the law while protecting consumers and telecommunications infrastructure.