Airtel Uganda has expanded its telecommunications network by approximately 25% over the past two years, deploying 840 new sites and extending coverage through satellite technology, according to Managing Director Soumendra Sahu.
Sahu described the expansion as a record pace for the company, which has operated in Uganda for 16 years. He said the investment was aimed at addressing network coverage gaps and improving service quality across the country. Sahu took over as managing director in December 2024.
The company’s connectivity strategy focuses on expanding access to digital services for farmers, traders and students through smartphones, which Sahu described as portable offices that enable people to access essential digital tools and opportunities.
Beyond traditional telecommunications infrastructure, Airtel Uganda has also introduced satellite-based connectivity through Starlink Mobile. The service went live in Uganda in September 2026, enabling compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites without requiring satellite dishes or specialised equipment.
According to Sahu, Airtel became the first telecommunications operator in East Africa and the second in Africa to launch the direct-to-cell service in partnership with Starlink. The technology is intended to provide basic connectivity in remote locations, including areas around the Rwenzori Mountains. Supported services include messaging applications, SMS and one-time passwords for mobile money transactions. The service currently supports Android devices, with Apple compatibility expected later.
Sahu said the company’s investment priorities reflect Uganda’s youthful population, whose median age stands at 16.7 years. He noted that younger consumers increasingly prefer internet-based services over traditional voice calls, making network capacity a critical consideration as digital adoption grows.
“Internet is nothing; it is all about capacity,” Sahu said, emphasising the importance of expanding network capacity alongside geographical coverage. Airtel Uganda is investing in wireless and fibre home broadband, as well as business connectivity solutions that extend beyond basic internet access. He also highlighted the need to anticipate emerging cybersecurity and technology risks, including those associated with artificial intelligence.
However, Sahu identified smartphone affordability and electricity supply as significant barriers to wider digital adoption. He estimated smartphone penetration in Uganda at between 42% and 43%, noting that the cost of entry-level devices continues to limit access for many potential users.
To address the affordability challenge, he called for the removal of import duty and value-added tax on low-cost smartphones, while maintaining that the proposed tax relief should not cover premium devices. He argued that reducing the cost of entry-level smartphones could accelerate digital adoption.
Electricity availability also remains a challenge for telecommunications infrastructure. Sahu noted that network operations depend on reliable power, while solar installations and diesel generators create additional financial and environmental costs. He therefore called for improved access to grid electricity near telecommunications sites.
Beyond network investment, Airtel Uganda contributes to employment and economic activity. Sahu said the company directly employs more than 3,000 people, while approximately 300,000 others depend on its operations through agent networks, distributors and business partners. He also identified Airtel as one of Uganda’s significant taxpayers.
The company also supports community development through several initiatives, including an HIV programme in partnership with the Buganda Kingdom and free internet access for more than 400 schools through its collaboration with UNICEF. Under its Adopt a School programme, Airtel has fully refurbished four schools and sponsors 20 students from financially disadvantaged families annually to attend universities, including Makerere University and Mbarara University.
Addressing customer experience, Sahu acknowledged that Airtel’s network still has areas requiring improvement but said the company understands the existing challenges and is working to resolve them. He also pledged to deliver what he described as world-class service to customers.
