UCC to strengthen efforts in ensuring that all counterfeit phones are deactivated

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is to strengthen efforts in ensuring that all counterfeit phones are deactivated, following its directive to all telecom companies to ensure all counterfeit phones are deactivated.

The commission’s director corporate affairs , Fred Ottunu says this is not only aimed at addressing issues of insecurity but also protecting the environment.

He however says the deactivation is to be done in a phased manner, urging members of the public when buying phones to ensure they have the genuine International Mobile Equipment Identity which is a 15- or 17-digit code that uniquely identifies mobile phone sets.

To get it, one simply dials *#06# and the IMEI number will appear. Alternatively, you could simply look under or below the battery, or on the back or bottom of the device for the IMEI on the label.

Devices cannot have the same number, which makes it a very useful tool for tracking lost or stolen cell phones.