When Vodafone Uganda launched its services in Uganda, the telecom became a household name for the internet users as they sold affordable ‘unlimited’ Internet packages. The internet bundles they offered were cheaper than the competition and users went bonkers. This was economic suicide since they didn’t have more heavily used services to depend on. It was only their Internet they had to cash in on. Definitely their loss leader policy failed them and it rained problems on their side.
First, they throttled their once 6MBps “unlimited” internet down to 256 Kbps in a bid to reduce over usage by its customers. Then they scrapped it off all together. The hurdles seemed higher than ever for Vodafone to jump over and the possibility of redemption was bleak.
But on February 10, the company announced that the Vodafone 4G network fully restored with customers able to access the full spectrum of high quality voice and data services in all areas. This was welcome news to the customers as they were reimbursed any unused data bundles that expired during the period of network interruption.
Donald Nyakayiru. Image Credit: The New Vision
Under Administration
A few days ago, the company announced the appointment of Mr. Donald Nyakairu as Provisional Administrator for Vodafone Uganda.
Vodafone Uganda will be embarking on a new strategy that will involve a significant realignment of its commercial focus and operational model.
While parts of this strategy are being implemented and others are in the process of being rolled out, the Board recently decided that it will be necessary to make further changes to turn around the company much faster.
To that end the board has decided to appoint an experienced Provisional Administrator to help better restructure the business. Forthwith, Mr Donald Nyakairu, a highly experienced corporate commercial lawyer with particular expertise in the information technology and telecommunications sector, with over 29 years’ experience, has been appointed Provisional Administrator of Vodafone Uganda.
The appointment of a Provisional Administrator is a standard business practice that aims to improve the fortunes of a company facing financial or administrative challenges. Vodafone Uganda has communicated to UCC and other relevant authorities and they have all expressed full support for the undertaking.
There is confidence looming in the company that Mr. Nyakairu’s vast experience in the telecommunications sector will have a positive transformative impact on the company. This will give Vodafone another shot at being Uganda’s best 4G voice and data provider.
But who is Donald Nyakairu?
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Nyakairu is a Managing Partner at ENSafrica Advocates where he has been employed since Jan 2013 to date.ENSafrica Advocates Uganda provides specialised legal advisory services to the banking sector and international and local corporate entities.
He is ranked in IFLR1000 and Chambers and Partners as a leading lawyer in the General Business area. He rejoined the law firm Synergy Solicitors & Advocates and has led it’s integration into ENSafrica the largest Pan African law firm.
He has also continued to provide Legal and Regulatory advisory services to the telecommunications entity LAPGreen Group. LAP GreenN recently was the majority shareholder (69% shareshareholding) of Uganda Telecom and the Group has 8 telecommunications operations in Africa. In 2013 and 2012 he moved from Uganda Telecom Ltd and joined LAP GreenN Group as Group Regulatory & Government Affairs Officer.
He was also a Managing Director at UTL for one year and three months before which he had served as Chief Legal Counsel & Corporate Affairs Officer for ten years since 2002.
The Network Issues
This appointment comes with a cost though. Another period of network deterioration. In a Facebook note on their official account, Vodafone Uganda had this to say.
“Dear customers, this is to inform you that the directors of Afrimax Uganda Limited T/A Vodafone Uganda recently appointed a Provisional Administrator Manager, Mr. Donald Nyakairu, who has been charged with restructuring and reorganizing the company in a bid to improve commercial and operational efficiencies.
As a result, in the interim transition period, customers will experience a temporary deterioration in the quality of our network services as the Administrator implements the required changes and negotiates with suppliers.
We apologise in advance for any disturbances and inconveniences caused and reassure all customers that any unused data will be reimbursed once our network is fully restored.
We will keep customers updated on all progress as and when our services are restored.
For any enquiries kindly contact us on our Tollfree number 0800700500 or WhatsApp 0723000723.“
The transition will lead to deterioration in the quality of Vodafone network but customers will be given back all their unused bundles when the network is up and running again.So what next for Vodafone Uganda? No one is sure when that will be as all eyes are now focused on the new administrator. All the best Vodafone.
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