A .sc.ug domain is a Ugandan domain extension reserved for primary schools, secondary schools, and other eligible lower educational institutions. It falls under .ug, Uganda’s country-code top-level domain (ccTLD). The “sc” stands for school.
Unlike general extensions such as .ug, .co.ug, and .com.ug, a .sc.ug domain has specific eligibility requirements. Schools must be based in Uganda and provide the necessary documents to confirm their status.
A .sc.ug address helps parents, students, and the public identify a school’s official website. Before registering one, you need to know the eligibility rules, naming requirements, documentation, and renewal conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
Only eligible educational institutions operating in Uganda can register a .sc.ug domain. Individuals, businesses, and organizations that do not qualify as schools cannot register one.
To apply, a school may need to provide:
- School registration or licensing documents: A registration certificate, operating licence, or other proof that the institution is recognized by the relevant Ugandan authorities.
- Approval from the school head: Written authorization from the headteacher or head of the institution.
- Registrant details: The school’s official name, address, email address, and phone number, along with the required administrative and technical contact details.
Private and international schools can generally apply if they are legally registered or licensed to operate in Uganda and meet the registry’s requirements. Schools based outside Uganda are not eligible.
The .sc.ug extension is restricted to educational institutions, while general extensions such as .ug and .com.ug have broader eligibility rules.
Technical and Naming Requirements
A .sc.ug domain must follow the technical rules set for the .ug namespace.
| Requirement | Details |
| Domain length | Generally 3–63 characters |
| Allowed characters | Letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens |
| First and last characters | Must be a letter or number |
| Hyphens | Cannot appear at the beginning or end, or in the third and fourth positions |
| Spaces and special characters | Not allowed |
| Non-English characters | Internationalized domain names may not be supported; confirm with the registrar |
| Name availability | The requested name must be available and not reserved or prohibited |
Choose a domain name that matches your school’s official name or is easy for parents and students to recognize. Avoid names that could mislead the public or infringe on another organization’s trademark.
Your domain also needs correctly configured DNS settings. If your registrar requires nameservers before registration, have at least two working nameservers ready. Ask the registrar about its specific DNS and DNSSEC requirements.
Registrant Information and Data Protection
When registering a .sc.ug domain, you must provide accurate information about the school and its designated contacts. This may include names, email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses.
The collection and use of personal information in Uganda are governed by the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, and its applicable regulations.
Before registering, review the registrar’s privacy policy to find out how it stores and uses your information and whether contact details are displayed in public WHOIS or RDAP records. Privacy options may vary between registrars.
Keep your contact information up to date so the registrar can reach you about renewals, verification requests, and other domain-related issues.
Renewal, Transfers, and Ownership Changes
Registering a .sc.ug domain is not a one-time process. You must maintain the registration to keep using the domain.
Renewals: Domains are commonly registered for one year, although longer terms may be available. Renew before the expiry date to avoid service interruptions or losing the domain.
Transfers: Moving your domain to another registrar may require an authorization code, verification, and approval from the registrars involved. Check the transfer rules before starting.
Ownership changes: Transferring a domain to another school or organization may require supporting documents and confirmation that the new registrant meets the eligibility requirements.
Expired domains: Recovery options depend on the registry’s policies and the registrar’s terms. Once a domain is released for registration by others, you may not be able to recover it.
How Much Does a .SC.UG Domain Cost?
The price depends on the registrar and the current registry fees. School domain registrations may cost less than general .ug domains, but you should confirm the latest rates before paying.
| Registrar | Register | Renewal |
| Truehost | N/A /year | N/A/year |
| Jubilee Webhost | UGX123,842/ year | UGX123,842 /year |
| Crystal Webhosting | UGX 100,000/year | UGX 1OO,000/Year |
Check whether the quoted price includes applicable taxes, registration, renewal, and any administrative fees. Also confirm the renewal price, as an introductory offer may not apply in later years.
Rules and Restrictions
A .sc.ug domain must comply with the registry’s policies and applicable Ugandan laws. The domain cannot be used for activities such as phishing, malware distribution, fraud, or other illegal purposes.
The registry or registrar may suspend or cancel a domain if its holder violates applicable policies. Names that infringe trademarks, misrepresent an institution, or fall into restricted categories may also be rejected.
Schools should use their domains for legitimate educational purposes, such as publishing admission information, sharing school news, communicating with parents, and providing student resources.
Give Your School a Trusted Home Online
Registering a .sc.ug domain gives your school an official online address. Follow these steps to get started:
i) Check availability: Search for your preferred domain name through an accredited registrar, such as Truehost, or visit the official registry at registry.co.ug.
ii) Prepare your documents: Gather the school’s registration or licensing certificate, any required approval from the headteacher or head of institution, and the school’s contact details.
iii) Choose a registration period and pay: Select an available registration term, usually one year, and confirm the registration fee, taxes, and renewal cost before paying.
iv) Prepare your nameservers: Have at least two working nameservers ready if required by your registrar, and ensure they are correctly configured.
The registration process may take 24 hours to a few days, depending on document verification and the registrar’s procedures. Confirm the expected processing time and documentation requirements before applying.
A .sc.ug address identifies your website with Uganda’s school domain namespace, helping parents, students, and staff recognize your school’s official online presence.
Ready to register your school’s domain? Visit Truehost to check availability, confirm the requirements, and start your .sc.ug registration.
Requirements for a .SC.UG Domain: FAQs
Can a private or international school in Uganda register a .sc.ug domain?
Yes, provided the school is legally registered or licensed to operate in Uganda and meets the registry’s eligibility requirements.
Can a school outside Uganda register a .sc.ug domain?
No. The extension is intended for eligible educational institutions operating in Uganda.
Does the school need to provide the headteacher’s approval?
The registrar may require written authorization from the headteacher or another authorized head of the institution. Confirm the exact documentation required when applying.
How long does .sc.ug registration take?
Processing time depends on the registrar and the verification process. Ask your provider for its current estimate and submit complete documents to help avoid delays.
Can I register a .sc.ug domain without school registration documents?
You will generally need evidence that the institution is eligible. Contact the registry or an accredited registrar to confirm which documents it accepts.
Is .sc.ug better than .com for a school in Uganda?
The two extensions serve different purposes. A .sc.ug domain identifies the website with Uganda’s school namespace, while .com is a general-purpose extension available to a wider range of users. A school may use .sc.ug as its primary address and register a .com domain as an additional address if needed.
Can I transfer a .sc.ug domain to another registrar?
A transfer may be possible if the domain meets the registry’s transfer rules. You may need an authorization code and approval from the registrars involved. Confirm the process with both providers before starting.
