List of mobile network operators in Uganda

Last updated

This is a list of mobile network operators in Uganda: [1] [2]

Contents

Note: K2 Telecom operates as a component of Airtel Uganda. [8]

Customer base

As of June 2017, there were an estimated 20.4 million mobile subscribers out of an estimated population of 39.6 million; [9] a 51.5 percent penetration rate. [10] By March 2018, the number of mobile phone users had increased to 24.8 million, a 70.9 percent penetration rate. [11] As of June 2020, the number of mobile telephone customers were estimated at 25.5 million, as reported by the Daily Monitor newspaper. [12] That figure had increased to 26.5 million at the end of September 2020. [13]

As of 31 March 2017, Uganda had the 18th highest Internet usage rate in Africa (out of 58 countries). The country had 13,023,114 Internet users out of a population of 41,652,938, bringing the Internet penetration rate to 31.3 percent. [14] As of September 2020, Uganda recorded 20.1 million Internet users, [13] out of an estimated mid-year population of 41.58 million, [15] bringing internet penetration to 48.3 percent, nationwide. [13]

As of 31 March 2022, according to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), there were a total of 30.6 million active telephone lines in the country. The mid-year national population was estimated 44.2 million people. This calculates at 69 active lines per 100 Ugandans or 80 percent for Ugandans aged 15 and above. [16]

Market share

The table below illustrates the market share of each of the major mobile network operators in the country, as of December 2021. [3]

Market Share Among Mobile Network Operators In Uganda
RankName of OperatorMillions of CustomersMarket Share (%)
1 MTN Uganda
16.7
47.5
2 Airtel Uganda
3 UTel
4Lycamobile
4 Roke Telkom Uganda
5 SmileTelecom Uganda
Total
35.2
100.00

When Africell exited Uganda, after 7 October 2021, a total of 3.3 million mobile subscribers in Uganda were up for grabs between the remaining four mobile network operators in the country. [17] [18]

See also

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References

  1. Faridah Kulabako (17 March 2014). "New telecom launches with cheapest call rate". Daily Monitor . Uganda. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  2. Joshua (8 September 2022). "Top Mobile Networks In Uganda". TopTenUganda.Com. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Esiara Kabona (2 July 2022). "Tough times in telcos sector as new MTN boss Sylvia Mulinge takes office". The EastAfrican . Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  4. Wafula, Walter (12 November 2010). "Zain set to rebrand to Airtel". Daily Monitor . Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  5. Henry Sekanjako (19 November 2022). "UTL Assets, Businesses Sold To New Telecom Company". New Vision . Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. The Investigator News (19 February 2022). "Utter Struggle: UCC Ponders on Terminating Smile Telecom activities in Uganda as Customers threaten to Sue the same". TheInvestigatorNews.com. Kampala. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  7. Richard Wetaya (28 October 2016). "Roke Telecom Celebrates 10 Years". New Vision . Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  8. Ventures Magazine (2 January 2013). "Another Telecom Launches In Uganda's Crowded Market". Ventures Africa Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (1 July 2017). "Estimated Population of Uganda in July 2017". Arlington, VA, United States of America: The World Factbook . Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  10. Kamukama, Eronie (4 October 2017). "Telecoms scramble for subscribers". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  11. Kamukama, Eronie (9 March 2018). "More Ugandans now own mobile phones". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  12. Justus Lyatuu (15 October 2020). "2.9m Simcards wiped off network in three months". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 Justus Lyatuu (11 January 2021). "50% of population access Internet - new UCC report". Daily Monitor . Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  14. "Internet Usage Statistics for Africa". www.internetworldstats.com. Miniwatts Marketing Group. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  15. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (14 June 2020). "Estimated Population of Uganda, As of 1 July 2020" (Citypopulation.de Quoting Uganda Bureau of Statistics). Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  16. UCC (31 July 2022). "Market Performance Report for First Quarter 2022" (PDF). Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  17. The Independent Uganda (6 October 2021). "Fears over MTN, Airtel dominance in Uganda's telecom sector". The Independent (Uganda) . Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  18. Demo Riley (21 September 2021). "Africell leaving Uganda: here is what you need to know". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 6 October 2021.