The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, has called on Airtel Uganda to increase investment in secure and modern digital systems to accelerate Uganda’s digital transformation and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the digital economy.
Minister Musasizi made the remarks on Wednesday during a courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Finance with Airtel Uganda’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu. The meeting was also attended by the State Minister for General Duties, Cissy Mulondo.
He congratulated Sahu on his appointment and commended Airtel Uganda for its contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic development through expanding reliable telecommunications services, creating employment opportunities, investing in fibre-optic infrastructure, and making significant tax contributions that support national development.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private sector growth, describing it as a key driver of job creation, improved service delivery, increased domestic revenue mobilisation, and reduced dependence on external financing.
Musasizi encouraged the telecommunications company to continue investing in secure digital infrastructure that will improve service delivery, expand connectivity, and support Uganda’s growing digital economy.
In response, Sahu thanked the government for its continued support and reaffirmed Airtel Uganda’s commitment to promoting digital inclusion across the country.
He said the company will continue expanding network connectivity, investing in digital infrastructure, and partnering with government to advance Uganda’s development agenda.
Sahu also highlighted Airtel Uganda’s corporate social responsibility programmes, noting that in partnership with government agencies, the company currently provides free internet connectivity to about 200 schools across the country.
He added that Airtel’s university scholarship programme fully sponsors 20 outstanding students, with equal representation of young women and men, while also offering graduate training opportunities to help young people transition into employment.
The meeting further discussed smartphone taxation and measures to support Uganda’s emerging local smartphone assembly industry. Director of Economic Affairs Moses Kagwa emphasized the importance of protecting local smartphone manufacturers to promote the growth of the country’s technology sector.
