President Yoweri Museveni has called on MTN Uganda to broaden its investment scope by focusing on job-creating sectors and fostering cross-border trade across Africa.
Speaking during a meeting with MTN Group executives at State House Entebbe on Saturday, President Museveni highlighted the strong connection between rising household incomes and the increased demand for communication services.
“If people have jobs and incomes, they will buy more phones and use them more. That’s why we must invest in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT,” the President said.
President Museveni encouraged MTN and other investors to champion regional integration by supporting cross-border investments and promoting intra-African trade, describing it as essential to the continent’s socio-economic transformation.
Reflecting on Uganda’s economic progress, Museveni noted that 64% of Ugandans are now part of the money economy, a significant increase from just 4% at the time of Independence.
MTN Group Chairman Jonas Mcebisi reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Uganda, commending the country’s regulatory environment and expressing confidence in Uganda’s economic potential.
“We are not here for the short term. We’ve had excellent cooperation from regulators, and we believe Uganda has massive potential,” Mcebisi said.
He added that MTN Uganda now serves 22 million customers, with 12 million using smartphones. He also announced plans to support Ugandan businesses in accessing the South African market.
