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● MTN Uganda has today boosted the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund with UGX 36 billion towards extending communications services to the underserved and unserved areas for the year 2023

● All licensed telecom operators in the country are required to pay a statutory 2% levy on their annual gross revenues to the Fund 

● MTN Uganda has over the years extended supported government in deepening digital skills, especially among the youth.

 MTN Uganda has today boosted the Uganda CommunicationsUniversal Service and Access Fund with UGX 36 billion for the year 2023 towards extending communications services to the underserved and unserved areas 

All licensed telecom operator’s telecom in the country are required to pay a statutory 2% levy on their annual gross revenues to the Fund administered by Uganda Communications Commission. 

Established in 2003, the Fund then known as the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF) addresses issues of connectivity, access, affordability and equity of ICT services to the population.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the UCC offices in Kampala, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, said they are excited as a telco to contribute to the Fund because it will help extend ICT services in unserved and underserved areas.

“We at MTN Uganda are glad that we are contributing to the Universal Service and Access Fund that will not only help deepen digital services but also boost various sectors of the economy like education, agriculture and health among others,” she said.

“We believe that our support towards this Fund will also help us achieve our ambition of ensuring that everyone enjoys the benefits of a modern connected life.”

Ms Mulinge said MTN Uganda remains committed to developing the ICT sector in partnership with the government to harness the power of technology and unleash the country’s true potential fostering economic growth.

According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Q2 2022 market performance report, the total number of connected mobile phone devices increased from 35 million in April to 36.1 million in June 2022.

The total number of broadband connections stood at 23.7 million subscriptions as digital financial services had a total of 40.7 million during the same period.

In her remarks, UCC Executive Director, Eng. Irene Kaggwa, congratulated MTN Uganda for the contribution as it will go a long way in ensuring that the country achieves digital inclusion as envisioned in the Digital Vision 2040.

She said Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund has over the years enabled government to set up computer labs in about 1300 secondary schools and given out about 4,000 mobile phones devices to the vulnerable households.

MTN Uganda has over the years extended supported government in deepening digital skills, especially among the youth, with the provision of more than 42 ICT labs in various educational institutions including six in technical institutes like Amelo Technical Institute located in Adjuman District, St. Simon Peter’s Vocational Training Centre in Hoima District, and St. Daniel Comboni Polytechnic in Moroto District to meet the ever-evolving work environment.

MTN Uganda and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) have today concluded the official signing of the License Renewal Agreement that will enable the telecommunication company continue its operations in the country for another 12 years, commencing 1st July 2020.

A joint press conference between MTN Uganda and the Regulatory body was held today at the UCC offices in Kampala to showcase the official signing of the new license.

This brings to an end, the long-standing negotiations between MTN Uganda, The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the government. This license renewal comes almost 2 years later, since MTN Uganda applied for a license renewal following the expiry of their 20 year license in October 2018.

MTN Uganda secured the12 year operating license at a fixed fee of USD 100 million (Approximately UGX 371.5 Billion) which was paid in full. The Telecom’s Second National Operator (SNO) License took effect on 1st July 2020.

Speaking at the license signing ceremony, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte said that:

“I am glad to inform you that our second National Operator License has been signed and MTN can continue operating in Uganda. We are happy and  remains committed to our  vision of delivering a bold digital life to all our customers through diligent innovations and shall continue to provide high quality voice, data and mobile money services connecting Ugandans across all the 135 districts of Uganda.

MTN Uganda provides telecommunications services under a Second National Operator License for the operation of a telecommunications system issued on 15 April 1998 for a period of twenty years. The License expired on 21 October 2018 but was variously extended to accommodate conclusion of renewal negotiations which have been ongoing for close to 2years.