Legislators have asked the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and National Guidance, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, to explain the failure of telecommunications companies to reinstate the use of airtime scratch cards.
In August last year, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) – a regulatory body of the communications sector in Uganda banned the use of airtime scratch cards and to be replaced by easy load.
In a statement to Parliament in August 2018, the Minister promised to convince UCC to reconsider the decision and have both options of airtime scratch cards alongside the e- airtime.
Then, MPs said that mobile phone users especially in rural areas would not be in position to access telecom services as they were not well served by e-services.
In the House sitting of Tuesday, 29 January 2019, Paul Akamba (Ind., Busiki) said that banning airtime scratch cards and replacing them with mobile airtime easy load in upcountry areas was inconveniencing.
“The Minister responded in a statement and concluded that he is given some more time and a dialogue is organized for MPs to attend and voice their issues,” Akamba said.
He added that the dialogue took place and a consensus was reached between the MPs, UCC and the telecommunication companies’ representatives that the vouchers be reinstated.
However, Akamba noted that the airtime scratch cards had not been reinstated for use till now.
“People deep down in the villages cannot access mobile airtime easy load because of the inconsistent network and inconsistent power supply; one needs a charged mobile phone to operate easy load,” Akamba said.
The Speaker, instructed the Minister of ICT and National Guidance to issue a statement on Thursday explaining the failure of the telecommunication networks to reinstate airtime scratch cards.
