The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has set June 30, 2018, as the deadline for phasing out airtime scratch cards.
In its communication dated March, 23, 2018, UCC says telecom companies should from July commence the use of electronic airtime.
UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi in the release says telecom companies are also supposed to submit the current stock of airtime scratch cards including the scratch cards already purchased and enroute to Uganda.
The telecom companies are also supposed to provide UCC with a weighted average period in which they would have consumed all scratch cards available in the market and also begin sensitizing the vendors about the phase off of scratch cards.
The telecom companies are also supposed to provide UCC with a weighted average period in which they would have consumed all scratch cards available in the market and also begin sensitizing the vendors about the phase off of scratch cards.
It is unclear what prompted UCC's decision especially given that there are very few point of sales (POS) and shops for electronic airtime even in the city centre itself.
Like with so many impromptu economic and policy orders, speculation is rife on social media that perhaps some 'powerful' people in government are using state institutions to recoup back their investment.
Comments
Airtime scratch cards can be traced back to whoever uses one just like mobile money transactions can be traced.
It's a simple explanation so we know as consumers. It's our money that buys you the big cars...
They only appear in the media for wrong reasons not announcing technological innovations or developments.
Wonders never end in our Uganda! But what's criminal or security risk posed by these cards? Do citizens not deserve an explanation?
Telecom companies should take a stand , Why it's so important that it has to be done at such speed?