KAMPALA, Uganda — The new managing director of Airtel Uganda, Soumendra Sahu, has pledged to expand internet access to underserved communities, a move aimed at bridging the country’s digital divide.
Sahu, who recently took the reins of the telecom giant, made the commitment during a meeting with Uganda Communications Commission Executive Director George William Nyombi Tembo.
“We recognize that there’s a significant gap in terms of internet penetration in rural areas,” Sahu said. “We’re committed to working with the UCC and other stakeholders to address this issue.”
Uganda has made significant strides in expanding internet access in recent years, but rural areas remain largely underserved. According to UCC data, internet penetration in rural areas stands at just 12%, compared to 60% in urban areas.
Sahu’s pledge comes as the Ugandan government is pushing to increase internet access as part of its broader economic development strategy.
“We welcome Airtel Uganda’s commitment to expanding internet access,” Nyombi said. “This aligns with our national goal of increasing internet penetration to 50% by 2025.”
Airtel Uganda is one of the country’s largest telecom operators, with over 10 million subscribers.
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