What a year 2020 has been, Uganda’s telecom giant has been through a roller-coaster of activities from the selling of tower assets, supporting the COVID-19 pandemic, a 5G tease, to mention but a few. Let’s have a timeline of MTN Uganda’s 2020.
January 2020
MTN Uganda Sells Tower Assets to ATC
The 4th of January saw MTN Group announce that it had finalized an agreement to dispose of its 49% equity holdings in MTN Uganda and Ghana Tower Company investments to a subsidiary of American Tower Company for $523 million. This transaction was closed in Q1 2020. MTN Uganda sold off all its tower assets to American Tower Company (ATC).
5G Technology Tease
The telecom giant showcased several demonstrations of how fast its future 5G technology network will be in comparison to its existing 4G network. We can’t wait to try out all they have to show off.
February 2020
MTN Uganda dismisses UCC’s network performance report
Congratulations to all the teams involved making #MTNUganda the best network in Uganda. We are investing another 250bn ugx over the coming months to become one of the best networks in Africa. #GoodTogether https://t.co/KB4zLx6KS2
— Wim Vanhelleputte (@wimMTNUG) February 20, 2020
On January 28th, 2018, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) released a network performance report that it conducted the period between September to November 2019. The report indicated that Airtel Uganda had the fastest mobile data services while Africell lacked when it came to drop call rate. However, the UCC report said that MTN and UTL came out on top with the least towns registering high drop call rate. It however left the telecom giant in the middle with no direct recognition. In 2020, MTN Uganda refuted some aspects of the UCC report from the regulator sighting several issues and the regulator’s inability to follow some international standards.
March 2020
The licensing drama ends
The telecom giant has finally ended the 3-year brawl with the government and secured a 14-year long term license that guarantees its operations in Uganda in the future.
MTN Uganda agreed to at least float 20 percent of its shares on the Uganda Securities Exchange, and pay $100 million in blanket taxes for a 14-year license. This was a good deal for MTN Uganda as it saved the company $18 million. In 2019, MTN had been required to pay at least $118 million (UGX 438 billion) for a 10-year license. If the company wishes to have the permit for up to 15 years, they would have parted with $150 million (UGX 557 billion). But this was slashed down to just $100 million for 14 years.
MTN Uganda’s COVID19 support efforts
- Scrapped Mobile Money fees: MTN Uganda in consultation with the Central bank and some of their escrow partner banks partnered to wave some mobile money transaction fees in order to minimize the likelihood of transmitting the coronavirus.
- Offered data bundle goodies: The company introduced data bundles where customers get 1GB of data at just UGX 2,000 valid between 9 am and 5 pm.
- Zero-rating websites: They offered free access to select educational websites to enable parents home school their children.
April & May 2020
CSR efforts
- MTN Uganda Gave back to Old Kampala and Kibuli Mosque during Ramadhan: They distributed food and alms to the Muslim community in and around Kampala as part of the telecom company’s support to the Muslims during the holy month of Ramadhan.
- Supports Kasese Floods Victims: Through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, the MTN Foundation donated Ugx 41 million towards the Kasese floods victims. (Image above)
- Spreads Love and Cheer to Muslims Ahead of Eid-El-Fitr: This year, MTN Uganda could not share a meal with the Muslim community due to the COVID-19 social distancing guideline but gave out alms to the community.
June 2020
Mr. Andrew Bugembe becomes New Chief Finance Officer
MTN Uganda appointed Andrew Bugembe as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bugembe started work on April 1, replacing Mike Blackburn who retired early this year having served as the telecom giant’s CFO since 2011.
Finally gets its License renewed
MTN Uganda has announced in June that it had concluded the protracted negotiations with the UCC for the renewal of its Second National Operator license which expired in October 2018. It finally put ink to paper.
Meet Juliet K Nsubuga named GM Wholesale and Carrier Services
Sixteen years since she joined MTN Uganda, Ms. Juliet K Nsubuga grew through the ranks to become one of the four women that make up the top line leadership of Uganda’s leading telecom company and the country’s biggest taxpayer.
Recognized as the most admired African brand in Uganda
Uganda’s biggest telecommunication firm scooped a huge brand award. MTN Uganda was recognized as the most admired African brand in Uganda based on spontaneous consumer responses in Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2020 survey carried out across 27 African countries.
July 2020
Joseph Bogera appointed GM Sales and Distribution MTN Uganda give us a one on one
Just over 8 months ago MTN Uganda appointed Joseph Bogera as the General Manager Sales and Distribution. Joseph is a seasoned sales professional who began his career with MTN Uganda as a Business Account Manager, moved to MTN Rwanda as a Corporate Sales Manager, Uganda Breweries as a Divisional Sales Manager. Read More.
Starts listing shares to East African investors
As part of MTN Uganda’s 12- year license renewal requirements by the regulator Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the telecom giant was expected to list a 20 percent equity stake on Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) and also opened a window for East African investors to buy shares.
One on One with Stephen Mutana MTN Uganda’s General Manager Mobile Financial Services.
October 2020
Mobile Money Heist
MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda put out a joint statement announcing their customers that the mobile money services between the two networks that had been disrupted have finally resumed. This follows the money heist that was discovered before Saturday 3rd October 2020 where the telecom giants together with Stanbic Bank and Bank of Africa announced that a third-party system breach caused their respective customers not to do transfers from their bank accounts to their respective mobile money wallets.
TECNO launches the Camon 16 series launch
TECNO Mobile Uganda, the leading mobile phone brand released the Camon 16 series the latest addition in the Camon series. MTN customers will also get 100% bonus on all bundles they activate for 90 days on the MTN SIM used in the Camon 16 they purchase.
Powered Afya Pap App users to Call or Chat with a doctor
The telecom giant and Multinational Health Technology Company Baobab Circle enhanced the Afya Pap service to deliver access to a doctor through Afya Pap Call a Doc feature.
MTN Business Unveils Voice, Internet, and MoMo Solution
MTN Uganda under its enterprise arm of MTN Business launched a first of its kind 3-in-1 offer for businesses in Uganda. The offer was designed to help businesses get more out of their operations with more control for business owners while allowing them to concentrate on growing their business.
November 2020
Reduction in mobile money withdraw charges
With effective from 2nd November 2020 MTN Uganda reduced the withdraw rates. Subscribers do not need to pay any Mobile Money agent after a transaction. Fees are deducted directly from your phone. See New rates.
Kampala Marathon
MTN Uganda has for the last sixteen years organized the MTN Kampala Marathon (MKM) which has evolved into the biggest athletics event in the region. Through the MKM and its sponsors, over 3.5 billion shillings has been raised to complement government efforts in pertinent sectors such as health, education, and ICT.
MTN Senkyu
MTN Uganda launched the MTN Senkyu program whose objective was to appreciate customers for their loyalty and use of MTN services. All MTN customers will receive redeemable Senkyu points each time they use any service from the MTN network, such as buying airtime, voice or data bundles and mobile money, among others. Customers will also earn points on their birthdays and for the period they have been on the network.
December 2020
Pay Mpola Mpola for a device in installments
MTN Uganda launched an easy payment plan that allows customers to get smartphones and pay in easy installments over a specified period. Named ‘Pay mpola mpola’, the scheme is another first by a telecom company in Uganda, and places MTN at the forefront of innovation in the telecom industry in Uganda.
MTN Uganda and Ubunifu unveil a new program to skill the youth
In yet another exciting initiative, the MTN Foundation Uganda launched its Youth Empowerment skilling program under foundation arm of youth empowerment that is set to benefit at least 100 youths in preparation for the evolving digital world.
