In May 2017, mobile phone users formed different queues at different SIM card registration centers as they moved to beat the deadline for SIM card registration even after the deadline had been extended a couple of times. This followed a directive by telecom sector regulator the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to all telecom companies to have their clients register their SIM cards.
The directive came two months after the brutal murder of the then police spokesman and assistant IGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi, his driver and body guard. The assailants reportedly coordinated their gruesome mission on phone. However almost a year later, security agencies are grappling with a new wave of murders, kidnaps and fleecing of money mainly through unregistered SIM cards.
Cabinet has now ordered UCC, to investigate telecom companies with unregistered SIM cards in use and report back in two weeks. NTV reports that Airtel Uganda has been singled out as the firm with a bulk of unregistered SIM cards in circulation.
“The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance briefed cabinet that UCC had been directed to commence investigations into how some alleged Airtel numbers were got with wrong of fraudulent identities by suspected criminals ” Frank Tumwebaze Minister of ICT .
Airtel awaiting on ongoing investigations
Responding to the allegations, Faith Bugozi the Public relations Officer at Airtel Uganda clarified that this is a subject for ongoing investigation and would not be able to comment on it at the moment.
The directive came hours after the police recovered the body of Suzan Magara, at Kigo in Wakiso district. She was kidnapped on 7th February near her home in Lungujja. Her kidnappers had been calling Magara’s family using unregistered SIM cards and demanding ransom.
Minister of ICT, Frank Tumwebaze revealed to cabinet that the numbers used by the kidnappers have no identity yet they are active.
“It is true I can use somebody’s ID card to falsely acquire a number. In the system it would show whose name and ID it was registered against, but these are purely numbers with no identity yet they are active” the minister added.
Some Members of parliament faulted UCC for failing to penalize non-compliant telecom companies accusing them of having no capacity and good will to investigate.
MTN responds
In a related development telecom giant MTN has come out to enforce SIM card replacement guidelines issued by the UCC below, to be followed in case of loss or theft of SIM cards:
- All MTN Uganda SIM card replacements shall be made at designated MTN Service Centers.
- All requests for SIM card replacement shall be made by the owner of the SIM card physically, upon presentation of a letter from the Uganda Police confirming loss or theft of the SIM card.
- SIM card registration and activation shall only be made after validation of the customer registration details including presentation of a National ID.
