PM launches Airtel mobile money service

By Apollo Mubiru

Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi on Tuesday launched the Airtel mobile money platform to enable customers pay for utilities, top up their airtime and send or receive money across all networks.  

The function was held at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Mbabazi emphasized the need for telecom service providers to add more value to their catalogues for positive social impact and economic growth especially in rural areas.

The launch came at a time the market was dominated by three other providers MTN, Uganda Telecom and Warid.

Premier Mbabazi and other guests at the launch. Photo by Mathius Mugisha

Airtel mobile money platform will enable customers to convert real money into electronic money at any of the company’s authorized outlets, transfer the e-money to others, pay for goods and services and settle accounts on utilities.

The Premier used a mobile phone to send sh100,000 to a New Vision journalist, David Mugabe at the launch of the Airtel mobile money service.  An excited Mugabe confirmed he received the money.

State Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Nyombi Tembo said introduction of new services should not compromise the quality of existing ones. 

He predicted that mobile money services in Uganda might overtake other money transfer services soon.

Airtel Uganda Managing Director, V.G Somasekhar told guests that the company invested sh300m in the last one to upgrade its network services at 300 sites countrywide. 

He said this enabled at least 1.5m more customers to be accessed, bringing its total customer base to 4m.

Airtel Board Chairman James Mulwana and the Standard Chartered Bank Managing Director, Lamin Manjang also graced the occasion.