The 4th Annual East African Communications Organisation (EACO) Post & Logistics Forum (EPLF4) officially kicked off on October 15, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. The three-day event, running until October 17, is organized by EACO in collaboration with Posta Uganda and hosted by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
This year’s forum is held under the theme “Elevating Excellence: Enhancing Post & Logistics for Customer and Supplier Satisfaction.” It brings together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and innovators from across East Africa to discuss the transformation of the postal and logistics sector in the digital age.
A symbolic group photo taken at the event captured the spirit of unity and collaboration among regional stakeholders — a reflection of their shared commitment to revitalizing postal and logistics services to drive connectivity, trade, and financial inclusion.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga, Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving progress.
“We cannot do it all by ourselves. We must extend our range, reach, and pace through partnerships. We also need to remain relevant to the younger generation who live in the digital world,” he said.
Mr. Derek Osborn of Whatnext4U echoed this call for collaboration, noting that innovation and customer focus are key to industry growth.
“Collaboration and partnerships need to be embraced. We must invest in technology and prioritize customer satisfaction,” he remarked.
Dr. Sifundo Chief Moyo, Secretary General of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU), highlighted the sector’s evolving landscape:
“Technology has reshaped customer expectations. The future belongs to those who adapt and collaborate.”
In her remarks, Ms. Caroline Koech, Executive Director of EACO, stressed the need for digital transformation and policy reform:
“We must invest in technology, update the policy and regulatory framework, and strengthen institutional capacity if we are to meet the demands of the modern economy.”
Representing the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Fred Otunnu, Acting Executive Director and Director of Corporate Affairs, urged the region to rethink traditional postal models.
“In Uganda, we’re still tied to an old, slow postal system. It’s time to change the narrative and make postal services an integral part of our digital lives,” he said.
The forum underscores the postal and logistics sector’s enduring role as a cornerstone of national development, trade facilitation, and inclusion. Despite the rapid pace of digitization, postal services remain vital in bridging the gap between the physical and digital economies, especially for rural and underserved communities.
As discussions continue through the week, participants are expected to chart a roadmap for a modern, customer-focused, and digitally empowered postal ecosystem that serves as a driver of East Africa’s socioeconomic transformation.