Who is Fred Otunnu? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, career, work and experience, relationship with Godfrey Mutabazi, early life and education of the current Director of Corporate Affairs at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Fred Otunnu is a highly accomplished Ugandan public servant who currently serves as the Director of Corporate Affairs at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the regulatory body for Uganda’s communications sector.
His professional profile is notable for blending expertise in both social sciences and law, giving him a versatile approach to strategic leadership and regulatory issues.
Education Background
Fred Otunnu is a great alumnus of Makerere University, having obtained three different degrees from the same institution.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, another Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.), as well as a Master’s degree in International Relations & Diplomatic Studies, all from Makerere University.
He also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Law Development Centre in Kampala.
Education background summary
| Years | Institution | Status /Award |
| Makerere University | Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences | |
| Makerere University | Master’s degree in International Relations & Diplomatic Studies | |
| Makerere University | Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) | |
| Law Development Centre | Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice |
Career and Professional Work Experience
Fred Otunnu has a long-standing experience in strategic leadership in regulatory environments, particularly in communications and media regulation.
He has been at Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for over two decades and currently serves as the Director of Corporate Affairs.
In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the commission’s corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, and consumer protection initiatives.
He has previously served as Acting Director of Broadcasting at UCC and acting Executive Director whenever Godfrey Mutabazi, the former Executive Director travelled overseas. This made him a strong candidate for the 2023 UCC Executive Director position appointment.
Most of his roles have frequently involved public-facing functions, often making him serve as a key spokesperson for the commission on several occasions.
He has been vocal and active in policy shifts such as moving FM radio stations to digital audio broadcasting, citing spectrum congestion and the need for improved service quality.
Work experience background summary
| Years | Institution | Position |
| – Present | Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) | Director of Corporate Affairs |
| Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) | Acting Director of Broadcasting |
Other Career Accomplishments
Otunnu has been involved in addressing environmental challenges, such as the launch of the UCC–ICT E-Waste Collection Project, which aims to create a structured and sustainable system for managing electronic waste in Uganda.
He has also publicly articulated UCC’s role in facilitating the growth of the communications sector to ensure digital inclusion and socio-economic development.
He is a recognized expert on issues such as over-the-top (OTT) service regulation, consumer protection, and the evolving challenges posed by artificial intelligence and converged media platforms.
Achievements and Awards
Under his leadership in Corporate Affairs, UCC has initiated and delivered programmes such as supporting the refurbishment and handover of ICT / electronic laboratories to training institutions. For example, UCC revitalized five state-of-the-art labs in telecommunication, multimedia, electronics, and electrical engineering under his oversight.
In the run-up to UCC’s 20th anniversary, Otunnu led and coordinated stakeholder engagements, public awareness and other planning events, including innovation awards and recognition of ICT journalists under his corporate affairs mandate.
Editor’s Note: Please contact flashugnews[at]gmail.com if you find any of the content to be inaccurate or outdated.
.){kind=link}