EP.07 | S1 | The Regulator’s Playbook: Eng. Irene Kaggwa on Negotiation, Preparation, and Balancing Competing Interests

Regulation looks like paperwork from the outside. From the inside, it is a daily exercise in balancing people who want very different things. In this episode of SheShapes Africa, host Caroline Mbugua sits down with Eng. Irene Kaggwa, former Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission and now at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for a candid conversation on how to regulate a fast-moving sector, negotiate with confidence, and walk into every room prepared. From engineer to regulator Irene trained as an engineer and joined a young regulator, where her first assignment was to learn the Uganda Communications Act. She talks about writing her first funding proposal, learning to use equipment worth more than her annual salary, and why being thrown in at the deep end made her stronger. Balancing every side of the table As acting Executive Director, Irene had to weigh the interests of government, investors, operators, and consumers at the same time. She explains how seven o’clock one-to-ones with CEOs, open conversations with the media, and patient work with politicians helped her find the middle ground. Negotiation starts before the meeting Know the subject, do your homework on what the other side wants, and decide in advance where you can compromise and where you cannot. Irene shares what real listening looks like and why the best outcome is one that everyone can live with. One continent, one stronger voice Irene makes the case for harmonised regulation without giving up national sovereignty. From the humble travel adapter to spectrum and numbering standards, she shows why Africa’s national, regional, and continental positions matter when negotiating at global tables. Getting the priorities right Clear roadmaps, spectrum, a test-and-learn approach as with mobile money, healthy competition, and demand-side support. Irene walks through what regulators need to get right, and why she sees her role as a referee, not a police officer. “Don’t sit in the tower and assume for the grassroots. Sit with them and co-create. Understand what it is they need. Otherwise you’re going to bring your superficial solutions, but they won’t address the grassroots solutions.” - Eng. Irene Kaggwa, former Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission Advice for the next generation Look at the role as service, not status. Irene calls for more visible role models for young women in engineering and regulation, and offers a simple rule for anyone entering the field: do the work, be part of the team, and never be the weakest link. The takeaway is simple. Prepare well, listen properly, and treat leadership as a way of serving your country. Hosted by Caroline Mbugua HSC. — An initiative by Caroline Mbugua HSC In partnership with THOP Institute Produced by ASER45 Agency