Airtel Uganda expands network by 25% with 840 new sites
Airtel Uganda has grown its telecoms network by 25% over the past two years, installing 840 new sites as it steps up investment in coverage and digital connectivity across the country.
Soumendra Sahu, MD of Airtel Uganda, said the expansion included new infrastructure and the use of satellite technology to reach underserved and remote areas. He described it as the fastest expansion pace in the company’s 16-year history in Uganda.
The network build follows Airtel’s launch of Starlink Mobile in Uganda in September 2026. The direct-to-cell service lets compatible smartphones connect straight to satellites, without dishes or other specialised equipment.
Through the Starlink partnership, Airtel is targeting connectivity gaps in hard-to-reach areas, including around the Rwenzori Mountains. The service supports messaging apps, SMS and one-time passwords for mobile money transactions. It currently works on Android devices, with Apple support expected later.
Sahu said Airtel was the first telecoms operator in East Africa, and the second in Africa, to introduce a direct-to-cell satellite service.
The operator is also prioritising network capacity as demand for internet-based services grows, particularly among younger consumers. Sahu said Uganda’s median age of 16.7 years is shaping consumption patterns, with more customers moving from traditional voice calls to internet-driven services.
“Internet is nothing; it is all about capacity,” he said, stressing the need for operators to strengthen capacity alongside coverage.
Airtel Uganda is investing in wireless and fibre home broadband, as well as connectivity solutions for businesses.
Devices and power
However, Sahu said smartphone affordability and electricity supply remain major barriers to wider digital adoption.
He put smartphone penetration in Uganda at 42% to 43%, saying the high cost of entry-level devices continues to keep many potential users offline. He called on the government to remove import duty and VAT on low-cost smartphones, arguing that the relief should target entry-level handsets rather than premium models.
Sahu also pointed to the cost of powering telecoms infrastructure. He said unreliable grid electricity forces operators to rely on solar installations and diesel generators, which drives up operating costs.
“Network cannot be run without power,” he said, calling for better access to grid electricity around telecoms sites.
Airtel Uganda has also partnered with UNICEF to provide free internet access to more than 400 schools.
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