Airtel’s Statutory Levy to UCC to Rises by 11.4% to Hit Shs38bn

Telecom giants, Airtel Uganda has paid shs37.9billion to the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund for the year 2024 towards extending communications to the unserved and underserved communities.

The shs37.9billion is more than the shs34.8 billion that the company paid last year, indicating a 11.4% increase.

The figure represents 2% of Airtel Uganda’s gross annual revenue for the financial year ending 31 December 2024, in compliance with the Communications Act and the terms of the company’s national telecommunications license.

Speaking during the handover at the UCC headquarters, Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, emphasized the shared vision between Airtel and UCC to bridge the digital divide and drive inclusive growth through communication services.

“This contribution goes beyond compliance with License obligations. It is a deliberate and strategic investment in Uganda’s digital future, a future where every Ugandan has access to safe, fast, reliable, and affordable communication services. We recently added Uganda’s first Spam Alert service as part of our responsible citizenship in fighting the global challenge of spam,” he said.

Soumendra noted that the handover marks a continuation of Airtel Uganda’s multi-year efforts to drive innovation and inclusion through investment in ICT infrastructure.

“We have been able to deliver on this commitment because of the loyalty of our esteemed customers, the support of the government of Uganda and the various stakeholders and partners. We are grateful for this support,” Soumendra added.

The Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF) is a government-backed initiative managed by the UCC to support the development of communication services in unserved and underserved areas.

Speaking on Tuesday, UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Tembo said half of these funds are taken to the consolidated fund and the rest is retained by UCC to extend broadband and voice coverage to rural communities, facilitate ICT access in schools and health centres, and promote nationwide digital inclusion.

“The goal of universal access cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires collective responsibility and deliberate investment by all stakeholders in the industry,” he noted.

He said these figures show continued grow of the telecom sector, expressing optimism that it will continue to grow.

“We commend Airtel Uganda for consistently honoring its obligations and for their commitment to public safety with their new spam alert service.”

He added that UCUSAF plays a pivotal role in unlocking socio-economic transformation by ensuring that all Ugandans, especially those in remote areas, can participate in the digital economy.