Minister Musasizi urges Airtel Uganda to invest in secure digital systems

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has urged Airtel Uganda to invest in secure, modern digital systems and infrastructure to accelerate the country’s digital transformation and strengthen its competitiveness in the digital economy.

Musasizi, joined by State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties Cissy Mulondo, made the remarks when Airtel Uganda’s managing director and chief executive officer, Soumendra Sahu, paid a courtesy call at the finance ministry.

Musasizi congratulated Sahu on his appointment and commended Airtel Uganda for its contribution to Uganda’s socioeconomic transformation. He thanked the company for expanding telecommunications services across the country, creating jobs, investing in modern digital infrastructure — particularly its fiber-optic network — and making tax contributions that support national development.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private sector growth, saying a vibrant private sector is essential for creating jobs, expanding services, increasing domestic revenue and reducing dependence on external financing. He encouraged the company to keep investing in systems that would accelerate digital transformation, improve service delivery and strengthen Uganda’s competitiveness.

Sahu thanked the government for its support and pledged Airtel Uganda’s commitment to driving digital inclusion. He said the company would continue expanding connectivity, investing in digital infrastructure and partnering with the government to advance Uganda’s development agenda.

Sahu outlined Airtel Uganda’s corporate social responsibility work in education and digital inclusion. In partnership with government agencies, the company provides free internet connectivity to about 200 schools. Through its university scholarship program, it fully sponsors 20 students, split equally between women and men, and offers graduate training to help them move into employment.

The meeting also touched on smartphone taxation and support for Uganda’s emerging local smartphone assembly industry. The finance ministry’s acting director of economic affairs, Moses Kaggwa, underscored the need to protect local manufacturers.