Kampala — Uganda communication commission in a turn of events lifted the ban on all counterfeit mobile phone handsets cooling down fears that had gripped thousands who possess the said gadgets.

In a directive last year the commission gave the traders and public until July 1 2013 to get rid of the fake phones or risk being switched off the network by the operators.

After consulting with the telecom operators, Fred Otunnu the head of communication at UCC said, all parties agreed to reschedule the ban.

It is understand the telecom companies are yet to acquire the technology to effect the ban. None of operators had acquired the Central Equipment Identity Register also known as International Mobile

Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) database used to store details of all mobile phones.

"Operators will require more time to plan. The process of elimination of counterfeits would require operators to install this equipment. A new deadline is under discussion." Otunnu said.