Airtel Uganda has handed over shs 42.9 billion to the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), a fund created and managed by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to expand communication and internet access to underserved and unserved communities across Uganda.
The contribution is Airtel’s statutory 2% gross annual revenue payment. It marked a significant increase from the shs 37.9 billion remitted in the previous year.
The handover took place at UCC headquarters in Kampala on Monday where the Airtel leadership team headed by Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu handed over the cheque to UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo.
Thembo welcomed the contribution, describing it as more than a regulatory formality.
“This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a testament to the vibrancy of Uganda’s telecom industry. Last year, this figure stood at shs 37.9 billion, reflecting a thriving business environment nurtured by sound government policies and progressive regulations,” he said.
The 2% levy is split equally between two destinations. Half goes to the National Consolidated Fund, while the remainder is channelled into the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund.
Through UCUSAF, government has extended ICT infrastructure to parts of the country that commercial investors have largely bypassed.
Nyombi said that UCUSAF drives the extension of ICT infrastructure to underserved rural areas, integrates technology into education and agriculture, champions digital skills training at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology (UICT) in Nakawa, promotes digital inclusion for Persons with Disabilities, and distributes smart devices to marginalised communities.
“Airtel Uganda has demonstrated that this responsibility is a shared investment in our nation’s future,” Nyombi said.
“Our government prioritises digital inclusion, ensuring no one gets left behind in this fast-paced digital world,” he added.
The contribution will support ongoing efforts to strengthen digital inclusion and connectivity nationwide.
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